Diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular disease. Literature review

Peripheral arterial disease occurs due to obstruction at the arterial level. This obstruction is mainly due to atherosclerosis resulting in turn from the accumulation of lipids and fibrous material between the tunica intima and muscularis propria of the blood vessel wall. The consequent decrease in blood flow can present asymptomatically or manifest with symptoms of arterial insufficiency such as: intermittent claudication, pain at rest in the affected muscle group, tissue loss (ulcers), the latter being one of the most evident signs of ischemia of the the limb. The risk factors are similar to cardiovascular risk factors (hypertension, smoking, hyperlipidemia, diabetes or metabolic syndrome). To carry out the diagnosis of it, an adequate clinical history is required, an exhaustive physical examination (decreased peripheral pulses), the ankle-brachial index (ABI) and also the use of diagnostic tools such as: duplex, tomography computed and magnetic resonance imaging. Management will depend on the stage of the disease and is aimed at relieving symptoms and reducing the risk of progression of cardiovascular disease.