It is the lack of blood supply to the legs due to a lasting occlusion of the arteries of the lower limbs.
It usually occurs in people over 50 years of age with arteriosclerosis that progressively occludes the vessels. The slow occlusion favors the appearance of new vessels, which try to compensate for the lack of irrigation (collateral circulation).
It manifests with pain in the legs, first when walking and later becomes permanent. The lack of circulation causes alterations in the skin, hair and nails. If it is very severe the skin will present ulcers that will evolve to necrosis and gangrene of the limb.
The diagnosis will be made through clinical history and physical examination, confirmed by continuous Doppler examination.
Treatment will vary according to the stage of the disease, so the vascular surgeon should be consulted early. In the initial stages, it is sufficient to control the risk factors (eliminate smoking, control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, avoid being overweight, control the intake of cholesterol-rich foods, exercise daily, etc.) with the addition of antiplatelet medication. In more advanced stages it will be necessary to perform invasive measures (angioplasty, bypass).
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- Norgren L, Hiatt WR, Dormandy JA, et al. Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II). J Vasc Surg 2007; 45 Suppl S:S5.
- Mark A Creager, Joseph Loscalzo. Enfermedades arteriales de las extremidades. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 1643:1650.
