Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a fairly common circulatory condition that affects the vessels that supply blood to the limbs. PVD is often caused by fatty deposits, or plaque, that build up in the arteries. The build-up blocks normal blood flow and can reduce circulation to the legs, arms, stomach, or kidneys, in addition to increasing the risk for heart attack or stroke.

Do You Have the Following Symptoms?

More than 10 million Americans are affected by peripheral vascular disease. If you think you may have the condition or be at risk, consider whether you ever experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Muscle weakness in the legs
• Numbness in the feet or toes
• Sores on toes, feet or legs that are slow to heal
• Painful cramping in the calves, thighs, or buttocks during exertion
• Inability to balance properly
• Foot pain at rest
• Erectile dysfunction in men
• Feet and toes that become pale from exercise or when elevated
• Loss of hair on the feet and toes
• Slow growth of toenails
• Feet that turn red when dangled
• Blue or purple marks on the legs, feet or toes
• Ulcers on the feet or toes
• Gangrene infection, indicated by black skin on the legs or feet

If you're experiencing one or more of these symptoms, please contact your doctor.

St. Joseph’s Hospital Heart and Vascular Services

Education

Our top priority is to educate our patients about the dangers of peripheral vascular disease and other vascular conditions.

Conditions associated with PVD that affect the veins include:

• Varicose veins
• Chronic venous insufficiency
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Pulmonary embolism

Conditions associated with PVD that affect the arteries, known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), include:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Arterial blockage 
• Buerger's Disease
• Raynaud's Phenomenon

Diagnostic procedures for PVD may include any of the following:

•  Ankle-brachial index (ABI)  
•  Doppler ultrasound flow studies
•  Pulse volume recording (PVR) waveform analysis 
•  Segmental blood pressure measurements 
• Treadmill exercise test  
• CT Angiogram
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)
• Angiogram   

All screenings and diagnostic exams are conducted by our clinical specialists who work in collaboration with your primary care physician. If a problem is detected, our board-certified cardiovascular interventionalist and surgeons are ready to provide you with expert treatment and care.

Treatments

Innovative technology and state-of-the-art equipment help us provide you with the best care possible. We offer:

• Peripheral angioplasty
• Peripheral stenting
• Various forms of atherectomy
• Drug coated balloon angioplasty
• Drug coated stents
• Percutaneous and surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Percutaneous treatment for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism 
• Percutaneous ablation for venous insufficiency and varicose veins
• STEM cell therapies as a part of research protocols
• Carotid stenting

Locations