Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) assessment using KODYS Vascular Dopplers

 

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.