Arteriosclerosis of the extremities

Alternative names:

arteriosclerosis obliterans; peripheral vascular disease; PVD

Symptoms:

• leg pain (intermittent claudication)
  • occurs with exercise (such as walking)
  • relieved with rest

• numbness of the legs or feet at rest
• muscle pain in the legs or feet
• loss of hair on the lower extremities
• change of color of the legs
• paleness or blueness (cyanosis)
• the legs feel cold to the touch
• presence of open sores (ischemic ulcers) on the lower extremities
• ulcers on the feet and toes
• gangrene (tissue death)--see gas gangrene
• pulse, weak or absent in the extremity
• walking/gait abnormalities may occur

Signs and tests:

An examination may show arterial bruits (whooshing sound heard with the stethoscope over the artery), decreased or absent pulse in the extremities, or decreased blood pressure in the affected extremity.

A lipid profile may show hyperlipidemia (lipid - serum is increased, total cholesterol is increased).

Peripheral artery disease may show on:

• angiography of the arteries in the legs (arteriography)
• a Doppler ultrasound exam of an extremity
• blood flow studies
• an MRI scan

This disease may also alter the results of a febrile/cold agglutinins test.