Peripheral artery disease
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a disease of the blood vessels in the legs. It can cause leg pain with walking, or if it gets bad it can cause wounds on the skin of the feet and toes. Peripheral artery disease is a serious disease that can be fatal. Some people who get very sick from PAD may need surgery to improve blood flow in their legs and feet. If their feet get really sick they may need an amputation.
PA is also sometimes called peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), peripheral obliterative arteriopathy, or peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Peripheral Artery Disease Media
Peripheral arterial disease resulting in necrosis of multiple toes
The illustration shows how PAD can affect the legs' arteries. Figure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the normal artery. Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup partially blocking blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of the narrowed artery.
Illustration of how the buildup of lipids cause a blockage of blood flow to the portion of the artery below the narrowing.
The illustration shows the ankle-brachial index test. The test compares blood pressure in the ankle to blood pressure in the arm. As the blood pressure cuff deflates, the blood pressure in the arteries is recorded.
3D Medical Animation still shot depicting the Vascular Bypass Grafting
