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Arteriopatía periférica en las piernas - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Vasculopatía periférica; EVP; AP; Arteriosclerosis obliterante; Bloqueo de las arterias de la pierna; Claudicación; Claudicación intermitente; Enfermedad vaso-oclusiva de las piernas; Insuficiencia arterial de las piernas; Calambres y dolor recurrente de la pierna; Dolor en la pantorrilla con el ejercicio

Definición:

Es una enfermedad de los vasos sanguíneos que lleva al estrechamiento y endurecimiento de las arterias que irrigan las piernas y los pies.

El estrechamiento de los vasos sanguíneos lleva a una disminución de la circulación, lo cual puede lesionar nervios y otros tejidos.

Causas:

La arteriopatía periférica es causada por arterioesclerosis o "endurecimiento de las arterias". Este problema ocurre cuando el material graso (placa) se acumula en las paredes de las arterias. Esto hace que las arterias se vuelvan más estrechas. Las paredes de las arterias también se vuelven más rígidas y no pueden ensancharse (dilatarse) para permitir un mayor flujo de sangre cuando se necesita.

Como resultado, cuando los músculos de las piernas están trabajando más intensamente (como al hacer ejercicio o caminar), no pueden recibir suficiente sangre y oxígeno. Finalmente, es posible que no haya suficiente sangre y oxígeno, incluso cuando los músculos están en reposo.

La arteriopatía periférica es un trastorno común que suele afectar a los hombres mayores de 50 años. Las personas están en mayor riesgo si tienen antecedentes de:

  • Reviewed last on: 6/17/2010
  • Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Creager MA, Libby P. Peripheral arterial disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP. 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;4:CD000123.

Sobel M, Verhaeghe R; American College of Chest Physicians. Antithrombotic therapy for peripheral artery occlusive disease: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133:815S-843S.

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