Authors' recommendations: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is characterized by progressive, multifocal narrowing (stenosis) or occlusion of vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques within the vessel wall that extend into the lumen. The disease is often diffusely distributed in the arteries of the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremity. Plaques may rupture or thrombose, leading to acute deprivation of blood supply (ischemia) in tissues supplied by the affected artery. Patients often present with pain upon walking or other exertion of the lower extremities that is relieved by rest (intermittent claudication). With severe disease, tissues supplied by the occluded vessel may develop ulcers or gangrene and require amputation. The prevalence of PAD in the United States is 3% to 10%, but is much higher in individuals > 70 years of age (14% to 20%) and in people with diabetes mellitus (20% to 30%). Other risk factors for PAD are smoking, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. The bilateral external iliac arteries are located in the lateral pelvis and are tributaries of the iliac arteries, which arise from the distal aorta. Branches of the external iliac arteries supply structures in the pelvis and include the femoral arteries, which provide the main blood supply to the legs. Type II atherosclerosis involves the infrarenal aorta, common and external iliac arteries, and common femoral arteries, and accounts for about 35% of cases.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: The report may be purchased from: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=15806

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

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Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2013 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc