Peripheral Arterial Disease and Intervention
Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects approximately 10% of the American population, with 30% to 40% of these patients presenting with claudication symptoms. The prevalence of PAD increases with age and the number of vascular risk factors. The reduced circulation of blood to a body part other than the heart is referred to as peripheral arterial disease. This condition is the result of the gradual buildup of plaque within the arteries that significantly reduces the blood flow to a specific organ or body part such as the brain, arms, abdomen, kidneys and legs. Peripheral arterial disease usually arises in patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity. Poor lifestyle choices like smoking, a diet rich in fat, and inactivity also increase risk for peripheral arterial disease. This is a very serious condition because it can increase an individual’s risk of a heart attack or stroke by up to six-fold. At Cardiology Solutions we specialize in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of peripheral arterial disease by providing cutting-edge treatments that improve your overall survival and quality of life.
Symptoms of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease (Blockage of the artery that carries blood to the legs)
- Cramps or muscle fatigue
- Pain that worsens during exercise
- Pain that subsides during rest
- Pins and needles
- Numbness and weakness
- Wounds and ulcers that do not heal
Symptoms of Carotid Artery Stenosis (Blockage of the neck artery that carries blood to the brain)
- Sudden loss of vision, blurred vision
- Weakness, tingling, or numbness on one side of the face, one side of the body
- Sudden difficulty walking, loss of balance, lack of coordination
- Sudden dizziness or confusion
- Difficulty speaking or understanding
- Difficulty with memory
- Difficult swallowing
Symptoms of Subclavian Artery Stenosis (Blockage of the artery that carries blood to arms and back of the brain)
- Dizziness with arm activity
- Feeling as if you might pass out
- Vertigo
- Blurred, double or partial loss of vision
- Arm fatigue and pain with arm arm activity
- Different blood pressures in each arm
Symptoms of Mesenteric Artery Stenosis (Blockage of the artery that carries blood to the abdomen and gastrointestinal system)
- Abdominal pain after eating
- Bloating or a sense of fullness
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
Symptoms of Renal Artery Stenosis (Blockage of the artery that carries blood to the kidney)
- High blood pressure
- Kidney failure
- Fluid retention in your legs causing swollen ankles and feet
- Fluid retention in the lungs causing shortness of breath
Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease
There are a number of treatments we may recommend to treat peripheral arterial disease. Some of the most common ones are:
- Medications: Medications may be prescribed to reduce cholesterol or blood pressure and dilate the arteries.
- Angioplasty: An angioplasty is typically performed by threading a thin tube called a catheter into the narrowed blood vessel. Once the catheter reaches the blocked site, a small balloon is inflated to widen the blood vessel and improve blood flow.
- Atherectomy: In an atherectomy, the fatty blockage is cut away with a small instrument from the inside of the artery.
- Stenting: A metallic tube is inserted and opened inside a blocked artery to improve blood flow.
- Bypass surgery: Blood in diverted through the bypass (often saphenous vein conduit) from a normal segment before the blockage to a normal segment after the blockage, going around the obstruction.
Peripheral Interventions
Cardiology Solutions specializes in the following peripheral interventions:
- Above and below the knee lower extremity intervention
- Complex lower extremity intervention including chronic total occlusions
Contact Cardiology Solutions Today
If you are showing any symptoms of peripheral arterial disease or have been recently diagnosed with this condition, you should contact us today at 347-868-1902.