Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease occurs due to obstruction at the arterial level. This obstruction is mainly due to atherosclerosis resulting in turn from the accumulation of lipids and fibrous material between the muscular and intimal tunica of the blood vessel wall. The risk factors are similar to cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes or metabolic syndrome). The diagnosis requires an adequate clinical history, an exhaustive physical examination (decrease in peripheral pulses), the ankle-arm index (ABI) and the use of diagnostic tools such as: duplex, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Management will depend on the stage of the disease and is aimed at alleviating symptoms and reducing the risk of progression of cardiovascular disease.