One of the most common diseases complained by patients coming to the cardiovascular surgery outpatient clinic of our hospital is peripheral artery disease.

What Is Peripheral Artery Disease?

It is a disease that causes stenosis and obstruction called atherosclerosis in the vessels other than the vessels that feed the heart. Plaques form in the veins that feed the arms, legs, brain and internal organs and this causes congestion. The formation of bacteria in the heart vessels can also occasionally cause peripheral artery. These plaques are caused by fat and cholesterol residues, which lead to vascular stiffness. It is more common in men than women. Hypertension, smoking, diabetes and sedentary life are among the factors that cause peripheral artery. Patients with a family history of peripheral artery problems, over 65 years of age, high blood pressure, chronic kidney failure and weight problems are the diseases in the risk group. It can sometimes be confused with herniated disc or muscle pain due to the symptoms and pain it shows.

What Are the Symptoms of Peripheral Artery?

Symptoms of peripheral artery depend on which vessel is occluded. The most common symptoms are difficulty walking and climbing stairs due to blockage in the leg veins, and other symptoms include coldness, numbness, discoloration, bruising, pain, and loss of wounds and hair.

Peripheral Artery Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by pulse examination, physical examination, arm leg pressure measurement and color doppler ultrasonography or medicated computed tomography.

What Are Peripheral Artery Treatments?

Medical treatment is started for patients diagnosed with peripheral artery. In cases that cannot be corrected with medication, surgical interventions are required. Treatment of peripheral artery occlusion consists of peripheral angiography, peripheral angioplasty, balloon and stent application, and shaving procedures called atarectomy.

Our cardiovascular surgeon will plan your treatment and help you by contacting the cardiologist if he/she deems it necessary by applying appropriate diagnostic methods.