PA School SurvivalDidactic Year

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PANCE Body Systems

Cardiovascular
11%
Pulmonary
9%
Gastrointestinal/Nutrition
8%
Musculoskeletal
8%
Neurology
7%
Infectious Disease
7%
Psychiatry/Behavioral
7%
Reproductive
7%
Endocrine
6%
Eyes/Ears/Nose/Throat
6%
Hematology
5%
Renal
5%
Genitourinary
4%
Dermatology
4%

Weights are study aids — verify each exam cycle.

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For educational use only. Content is AI-generated, may contain errors, and is not medical advice — always verify against current primary sources and faculty guidance before clinical use.

Home CardiovascularPeripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Cardiovascular · ~11% of blueprint

Pathophysiology: Atherosclerotic stenosis of peripheral (esp. lower-limb) arteries → ↓ perfusion. Same risk factors as CAD; smoking & diabetes are strongest.
Signs & Symptoms: Intermittent claudication (calf pain with walking, relieved by rest); ↓ pulses, hair loss, shiny skin, dependent rubor. Severe: rest pain, ulcers, gangrene.
Gold Standard Diagnosis: Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) <0.90. CTA/MRA for anatomy before intervention.
First-line Treatment: Risk-factor control (smoking cessation), supervised exercise, antiplatelet + statin; cilostazol for symptoms; revascularize critical limb ischemia.

Drug cardsAspirin Clopidogrel Atorvastatin Cilostazol

High-Yield Pearl

ABI <0.9 is diagnostic. PAD is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis → high MI/stroke risk; treat the whole patient.

More Cardiovascular conditions

Acute Coronary Syndrome (STEMI)
Acute Pericarditis
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Stenosis
Atrial Fibrillation
Deep Vein Thrombosis
Heart Failure (HFrEF)
Hyperlipidemia
Hypertension (Essential)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Infective Endocarditis
Mitral Regurgitation

All Cardiovascular