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Arteriosclerosis of the extremities - Overview

Alternative Names

Peripheral vascular disease; PVD; Peripheral arterial disease; PAD; Arteriosclerosis obliterans

Definition of Arteriosclerosis of the extremities:

Arteriosclerosis of the extremities is a disease of the blood vessels that leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteries that supply the legs and feet. This decreases blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries," commonly first affects the legs and feet. The narrowing of the arteries may lead to a total closing (occlusion) of the vessel.

The vessel walls become less elastic and cannot open (dilate) to allow greater blood flow when needed (such as during exercise). Calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries contribute to the narrowing and stiffness.

This is a common disorder, usually affecting men over age 50. People are at higher risk if they have a personal or family history of:

Diabetes
Heart disease (coronary artery disease)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Kidney disease involving hemodialysis
Smoking
Stroke (cerebrovascular disease)

Arteriosclerosis of the extremities

Arterial bypass leg - series

Reviewed last on: 5/15/2008
Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Creager MA, Libby P. Peripheral Arterial Disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. Libby: Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 57.

Aung PP, Maxwell HG, Jepson RG, Price JF, Leng GC. Lipid-lowering for peripheral arterial disease of the lower limb. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;Oct 17(4):CD000123.

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