Learning About Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment

Learning About Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment
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PAD Treatment

Peripheral artery disease treatment is highly individualized. Patients who receive prompt treatment can often control their disease well. There are several different things that can be done to treat PAD and try and prevent any related complications.

Self-Care

There are several things a patient can do to help control their symptoms and prevent a worsening of PAD. Balancing rest with exercise is important because it may help improve circulation. Before beginning an exercise program, it is important to speak to a doctor. If the patient smokes, quitting is very important, as is losing any excess weight. All patients, especially diabetic patients, should keep an eye on their feet and take good care of them. It is also important to ensure the patient’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels are all well-controlled.

Medications

Peripheral artery disease treatment may involve medications. The following medications may be prescribed:

  • Aspirin may help to prevent blood clots
  • Clopidogrel may also prevent blood clots
  • Cholesterol-lowering medications may be prescribed to keep cholesterol levels healthy
  • Cilostazol may be prescribed to help keep the affected artery or arteries dilated to improve blood flow
  • Pain relieving medications may be prescribed to patients experiencing pain

Surgery

If other treatments are not effective, surgery may be performed. Peripheral artery stent placement and angioplasty is a surgery that may be performed to treat PAD. Angioplasty is done to help increase the blood supply to the legs through opening blocked or narrowed blood vessels. A stent can be placed to help expand the inside of an artery. During this surgery the patient is awake, but sedated. The patient is also given local anesthesia to the treatment area. A catheter is then inserted into the blocked artery through a small incision. Then a catheter with a tiny balloon is pushed through and the balloon is blown up. This restores blood flow and opens the blocked vessel. If a stent is necessary it is inserted at the same time. Patients will spend two days or less in the hospital after this procedure.

A peripheral artery bypass is another surgical procedure that may be done when treating PAD. This surgery involves taking the blood supply in a leg and rerouting it around a blocked artery. The type of anesthesia administered depends on the artery being operated on. A graft is used to reroute. The type of bypass will determine overall recovery time.

With both of these procedures, risks are possible. Possible risks include:

  • Allergic reaction to anesthesia
  • Breathing problems related to anesthesia
  • Blood clots in legs
  • Stroke or heart attack
  • Breathing problems not related to anesthesia
  • Infection
  • Nearby organ damage
  • Incision infection
  • Nerve damage

If surgery is not successful, amputating the affected limb may be necessary.

Resources

American Heart Association. (2010). About Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Retrieved on November 16, 2010 from the American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/PeripheralArteryDisease/About-Peripheral-Artery-Disease-PAD_UCM_301301_Article.jsp

MayoClinic.com. (2010). Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Retrieved on November 16, 2010 from MayoClinic.com: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/peripheral-arterial-disease/DS00537