Peripheral arterial
disease, or PAD, is a form of arterial disease appearing outside of the brain
and heart. In patients suffering from PAD, the arteries carrying oxygenated
blood in the body tend to get narrowed or blocked. The narrowing or blocking of
arteries stems from plaque or atherosclerosis.
Generally, PAD
impacts the arteries in the legs. However, it can also extend to affect the
arteries carrying blood to the kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, the head, and
arms.
While a majority of
patients with PAD have minor or no symptoms, some experience pain in the leg or
foot, ulcers or nonhealing wounds, claudication, gangrene, loss of limb, and
infection. In very few cases, patients experience a significantly higher risk
of cardiovascular events, poorer quality of life, and depression.
The risk factors for
the disease include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high
cholesterol. It has been observed that patients with PAD are mostly above 50
years of age.
Diagnosing PAD with
KODYS Vascular Dopplers
Noninvasive
physiologic vascular studies are critical for the diagnosis and
characterization of PAD of the lower extremity. The purpose of these studies is
to analyze the physiologic parameters of blood flow through pulse volume
recordings, Doppler waveforms, and segmental arterial pressures. The vascular
ultrasound exam uses sound waves to create pictures of the arteries,
locate the site of the disease, and provide prognostic data.
KODYS Vascular
dopplers use Bidirectional high-frequency
sound waves to measure the amount of blood flowing through your veins and
arteries. It is highly sensitive enough
.e., even if there is a minimum blood flow it captures accurately preventing
the risk of foot amputation. Generally, the arteries evaluated are the ones
in your legs and arms. The purpose of the vascular flow study, also referred to
as blood flow study is to identify the abnormal flow of blood within an artery
or vein.
The technology of the
doppler has been taken up by many medical speciality practitioners, such as
primary care providers, surgeons, radiologists, and cardiologists.
