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Arteriosclerosis of the extremities

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Arteriosclerosis of the extremities

Alternative Names: Peripheral vascular disease; PVD; Peripheral arterial disease; PAD; Arteriosclerosis obliterans Symptoms: Often, symptoms affect one limb. If arteriosclerosis exists in both limbs, the intensity is usually different in each. Leg pain (intermittent claudication) Occurs with exercise (such as walking) Relieved with rest Numbness of the legs or feet at rest Cold legs or feet Muscle pain in the thighs, calves, or feet Loss of hair on the legs and/or feet Change of color of the legs Paleness or blueness (cyanosis) Pulse, weak or absent in the limb Walking/gait abnormalities Signs and tests: Text Continues Below An examination may show arterial bruits (whooshing sound heard with the stethoscope over the artery), decreased or absent pulse in the extremities, or decreased blood pressure in the affected limb. Blood tests may show high cholesterol. Peripheral artery disease may be revealed by: An abnormal ratio between the blood pressure of the ankle and arm (ankle/brachial index, or ABI) A Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity Angiography of the arteries in the legs (arteriography) Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of the extremity An MRI scan

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