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Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is a condition in which the arteries in the legs begin to narrow, resulting in a reduction of blood flow. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, which is plaque build-up or "hardening of the arteries."
RISK FACTORS
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Over Age 50
- High Cholesterol
- High Blood Pressure
Early-stage symptoms of PAD may include pain, cramps or a tired-feeling in the calf or thigh, triggered by walking and relieved by rest. This is called Intermittent Claudication.
Eventually, the artery may become so narrowed or completely blocked that the blood can no longer flow freely and you may feel pain, even at rest. This is called Rest Pain. Without a sufficient supply of oxygen, tissue (such as skin) below the blockage may die (ulceration & gangrene).
How Circulation Becomes Impaired
A Healthy Artery
Arteries are vessels that deliver oxygenated blood throughout your body.
Note:
- Smooth inner wall
- Blood flow passes freely
When plaque build-up develops on the artery walls, blood flow is partially blocked. During activity, your muscles may not receive enough oxygen, causing Intermittent Claudication.
Note:
- Plaque build-up on artery walls
- Blood flow is partially blocked
Blood flow may be completely blocked by plaque or by a blood clot that lodges in a severely narrowed artery. Without treatment, the entire foot or part of the leg may be lost to disease.
Note:
- Artery completely blocked
- Experiencing Rest Pain
- Ulcers that are difficult to heal
- Angioplasty
- Bypass Surgery
- Drugs
- Exercise Programs
- ArtAssist® Device
Due to the risks of surgery, patients with Intermittent Claudication are not usually offered an operation that bypasses the blockage, using either their vein in the leg or a synthetic tube called a graft. New drug therapies have been effective in improving the walking distances in people with Intermittent Claudication; however, the added walking distance is small and there are those that do not tolerate the side effects. In addition, the benefit of this drug is lost after it is no longer taken and so you may be using these drugs for life - an expensive proposition.
In cases of Rest Pain or arterial ulcers, surgery to bypass the obstruction is often the best therapy, usually with excellent long-term results. There are, however, patients that cannot undergo the surgery or in whom the surgery has already failed.
Now patients have another option, when surgery or drugs are not. It is a simple but effective new medical technology that is used at home to increase blood flow.
ACI Medical, LLC 1857 Diamond St. San Marcos, CA 92078 Tel: (760) 744-4400 Fax: (760) 744-4401 Toll Free: 888 4 LEG FLO (4534356) E-mail: info@acimedical.com |