Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Peripheral artery disease is a problem involving the blood vessels of your extremities; and just like the coronary arteries located in your heart, the legs are susceptible to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fat and cholesterol deposits inside the vessel wall causing blockages that decrease blood flow. Ischemia occurs when you are not getting enough blood flow to your body’s tissue. This can lead to a multitude of problems; therefore lifestyle modifications are crucial to prevention. Several risk factors can lead to the development of atherosclerosis and PAD including; Smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, poor diet, a sedentary lifestyle or family history. Pain in the lower extremity felt with walking a short distance is the classic symptom of PAD.
Here at Sonoran Vein and Endovascular we offer both invasive and non-invasive diagnostic testing of PAD in our comprehensive facility. Dr. Nye is board-certified in both general surgery and vascular surgery, specializing in minimally invasive surgery utilizing endovascular technique for both diagnosis and treatment of PAD.
No matter what your vascular concerns may be, here at Sonoran Vein and Endovascular we can ensure you that you are being provided with the best possible care and being treated by one of the top vascular surgeons in Phoenix. Whether you are experiencing pain that is concerning you, or have already received a diagnosis and are now looking for the best treatment options, we are here for you. If you have any questions or would like to schedule your initial consultation, please feel free to contact any of our four locations across Arizona and New Mexico.
Risk Factors:
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of the disease
- High Cholesterol
Symptoms:
- Claudication – Pain in the extremities that occurs when walking or pain that may occur at rest
- Non-healing ulcers of the foot
- Gangrene
Diagnosis:
- Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) or Toe Brachial Index (TBI)
- Duplex Ultrasound
- Angiogram- injecting a special dye into the arteries to visualize the blockages by X-ray
Treatment:
- Angioplasty and Stenting- minimally invasive technique using a small catheter to remove the plaque or employ a stent in the narrowed artery
- Laser Atherectomy- newest minimally invasive technique that is similar to angioplasty or stenting but a laser is used to remove the plaque
- Surgical Bypass- Surgical procedure to bypass the clot using vein graft or artificial graft; often used as a last resort