3D Severe stenosis of both Iliac Arteries, Diastal flow attributed to collaterals

Peripheral Angiogram

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) and is a risk factor for strokes and heart attacks. The American Heart Association estimates that 8 to 12 million Americans have PAD and that as many as 75 percent do not have any symptoms. Women have symptoms less often than men.

PAD is similar to Coronary Artery Disease, most often caused by hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis, except it occurs in arteries outside of the heart. The arteries in the abdomen, the pelvis and the legs are most often affected. The circulation of the affected arteries are impaired by a build up of plaque, which can block circulation to organs, the legs or break loose and form a stroke or heart attack causing clot.

Advances in spiral CT, namely a 64 slice Toshiba scanner used by Tchefuncte Cardiovascular Associates, can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the vessels of the legs.

Symptoms include constant foot pain, slow healing wounds on the feet or lower legs and a marked decrease in the temperature of you feet and lower legs compared to the temperature of your arms (You feet may always feel cold to the touch). All of these are signs that you are not getting adequate blood circulation.

A plan of care can be developed for either medical treatment, intervention (stents) or surgery; often saving limbs (legs and feet) from amputation with early diagnosis and treatment.