 |
 |
|||||||
 |
|
|||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
WHAT IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE? Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a build-up of plaque (PLAK - also known as atherosclerosis ath-er-o-skler-O-sis) in the arteries outside your heart (peripheral arteries) that reduces the flow of blood. As a result, some parts of your body don’t get the oxygen they need. Frequently, atherosclerosis is not confined to one artery but may involve arteries in other areas as well. Some of the more commonly affected peripheral areas are the arteries in the legs, arms, kidneys and neck. Some patients may have both coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. PVD increases your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. People with PVD are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from stroke or heart attack than people of the same age who do not have PVD. WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE? The symptoms you may experience depend on what artery is affected and how severely the blood flow is reduced. Some of the symptoms you may experience in the affected areas are:
 WHAT CAUSES PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE? Peripheral vascular disease is caused by the same atherosclerotic plaque that causes coronary artery disease. As the internal lining of the artery thickens from the atherosclerotic plaque, the blood vessel becomes increasingly constricted and blood flow diminishes. WHAT ARE RISK FACTORS OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE? Clinical studies have identified factors that increase the risk of PVD. Some of these factors cannot be changed while others can be managed to greatly reduce your risk of the disease. Remember to follow your doctor’s recommendations concerning these factors. Diabetes IN RARE CASES, advanced peripheral vascular disease can cause tissues in the leg or foot to die because they do not receive enough oxygen as a result of poor circulation. This requires that part of the leg or foot be removed (amputated). This is more common in people who also have diabetes. Smoking Any of the following risk factors may also increase your chance of developing peripheral vascular disease:
HOW IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE DIAGNOSED? If your doctor suspects that you have peripheral vascular disease or if you have symptoms of the disease, several tests are used to make a diagnosis. The following are diagnostic tests that your doctor may order: Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is a simple non-invasive test that measures the ratio of the blood pressure in your ankle to that in your arm. This ratio may indicate a potential vascular problem. Ultrasound Doppler Test is a non-invasive test uses sound waves to provide an image of the inside of the blood vessel to determine if a specific artery has plaque build-up. The Angiogram Before a final diagnosis is made, you may be asked to undergo an angiogram. A special dye is injected into the arteries under local anesthetic and x-rays are taken. The dye shows up on the x-rays, revealing the arteries and the presence of any narrowing or blockages. HOW IS PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE TREATED? There are three basic ways to treat atherosclerotic disease: medication, angioplasty procedure and by-pass surgery. The purpose of these treatments is to eliminate or reduce the symptoms you may have. Medications can be used alone or in combination with one of the other treatments. While medications do not eliminate the narrowing of arteries, they can help improve the efficiency of the heart and reduce symptoms such as leg pain, claudication, and hypertension. Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that can be used to dilate (widen) narrowed or blocked peripheral arteries. A thin tube called a catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is passed into the narrowed artery segment and inflated to dilate the artery. Then the balloon is deflated and the catheter is withdrawn. Often a stent - a cylindrical, wire mesh tube - is placed in the narrowed artery with a catheter. There the stent expands and locks open. It stays in the spot, keeping the diseased artery open. By-Pass Surgery may be necessary if the narrowing involves a long portion of an artery (severe atherosclerosis). A vein from another part of the body or a synthetic blood vessel is used. It’s attached above and below the blocked area to detour blood around the blocked spot. Your doctor will explain the risks and benefits of your treatment options and answer any questions you or your family may have. Galichia Medical Group, PA (GMED) is a multi-specialty group that provides comprehensive medical services to all of Wichita’s hospitals and throughout the State of Kansas. GMED is located at 2600 N. Woodlawn in Wichita, Kansas. The group consists of practitioners specializing in Cardiology, Electrophysiology, Internal Medicine, Family Practice, Geriatrics (including an Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss Clinic), Gastroenterology, Nuclear Cardiology, Interventional Vascular Medicine, Endocrinology and Pediatrics. GMED also has offices in Fredonia and Winfield. To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians call toll free, 1-800-657-7250 or 316-684-3838. In addition, the Galichia Medical Group has long provided cardiology services to rural communities of Kansas with satellite clinics throughout the State. In January of 2005 a monthly endocrinology clinic was added to our office in Fredonia. For more information about our satellite clinics across the State call toll free 1-800-657-7250 extension 2232. |
Galichia Medical Group, P.A.
|
