Top Specialist for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease is a progresive disorder resulting in narrowing of blood vessels and hence decrease in blood supply to the organs. Legs and feet are most commonly affected ( More than 10 million cases per year in India).

Most common case of PVD is – ATHEROSCLEROSIS ( the buildup of plaque inside the artery wall causing narrowing of blood vessel)

RISK FACTORS :-
DM and smoking are the major risk factors for PVD.
Modifiable :- CAD, High cholesterol, HTN, over weight.
Non modifiable –,Age (>50years), male gender, Family history of PVD

SYMPTOMS : – Initially patient will be asymptomatic, as the desease progresses patient developes
1) skin changes in the form of increased pigmentation, loss of hair, sensation followed by ulcer.
2) Painful leg cramping that occurs with exercises and later pain persists even at rest.
3) Patient can also develop gangrenous changes in the affected limb.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT : –
1. Doppler scan:- ultrasound of the leg and feet is done to look for decreased blood supply.
2. Angiography :- A contrast dye is injected into the blood vessel of the affected limb and imaged
with x-ray, CT or MRI to detect blockage or narrowing.

TREATMENT : –

• Life style modification like control of risk factors- diabetes control, cessation of smoking
  regular exercises and proper nutrition.
• Medicines in improving blood flow such as antiplatelets with blood thinners and medicine
  that relax the blood vessel walls.

ANGIOPLASTY : –
This procedure is done to open the narrowed blood vessels. It can diagnose and treat a blocked
vessel at the same time. Doctor guides a thin flexible tube ( catheter) to the narrow part of the
artery. A tiny balloon is inflated to widen the blocked artery and improve blood flow (Balloon
angioplasty) or a small wire mesh tube (stent) may be placed in the artery to keep the artery open.

• Bypass surgery and Thrombotic therapy