TIM eMagazine Vol.2 Issue 12
Computed Tomographic Angiography (CT Angiography): a
non-invasive test that can image the arteries in our abdomen,
pelvis and legs using X-ray.
Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): a non-invasive test
that gives information similar to that of a CT without using X-rays.
Contrast Angiography: During contrast angiogram, a contrast
agent is injected into the artery and X-rays are taken to show blood
flow in the arteries in the legs more clearly to help pinpoint any
blockages that may be present.
What are the available treatment options?
The goals of treatment of PAD are reduce symptoms, improve
walking capacity and prevent further progression of the disease, death
due to heart attack or stroke and loss of limb.
Medications: antiplatelet agents, drugs that lower cholesterol levels,
control hypertension and diabetes, medications to improve walking distance.
Lifestyle modifications: (such as quitting smoking and losing weight)
are effective. It is indicated for all patients with heart disease, prior heart
attack and stroke, hypertension, regardless of drug therapy. It may reduce, or
even abolish, the need for antihypertensive drugs.
Vascular Rehabilitation program: Patients who have pain in one or both
legs when walking or intermittent claudication will benefit from enrolling
in an exercise rehabilitation program supervised by healthcare professionals
such as doctors, nurses, and physical therapists. These patients are trained to
walk longer distances by engaging in regular supervised walking exercises on a
treadmill machine.
Revascularization: In severe cases, angiogplasty, a nonsurgical method, may
be performed by making a small incision in the groin through which a catheter
is inserted then a balloon or stent is used to open up the blocked artery. Other
patients may need bypass surgery, which replaces the diseased vessel with a vein
in another part of the body or a synthetic graft, that reestablishes flow to the distal
parts of the limb.
What are the related services available at The Medical City?
At The Medical City, we have a complete roster of competent vascular medicine
specialists, vascular surgeons and interventional cardiologists who can assess and treat
patients with PAD.
The following services/tests are available:
1. Rest and stress ABI
2. Arterial duplex study
3. Six-minute walk test
4. CT angiography
5. Vascular Rehabilitation for supervised exercise program
6. Contrast Angiography
7. Vascular Rehabilitation for supervised exercise program
8. Peripheral angioplasty
9. Peripheral bypass surgery
themedicalcity.com
1.Creager, Mark et al. Vascular Medicine, 2nd edition.
2.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/
PeripheralArteryDisease
3.http://www.mayoclinic.org/disease-conditions/peripheral-artery-disease
4.http://www.medicinenet.com/peripheral vascular disease
5.TMC: Department of Medicine - Section of Cardiology-Subsection of
Vascular Medicine
6.Center for Patient Partnership
For more information, please call:
CARDIAC AND PERIPHERAL LABORATORY
Tel. no.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6299/6461
CENTER FOR PATIENT PARTNERSHIP
Tel. no.: (632) 988-1000 / (632) 988-7000 ext. 6444
Disclaimer: This information is not intended
to be used as a substitute for professional
medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If
you or someone you know have any of the
symptoms mentioned above, it is advisable
to seek professional help.
Credits : medicalexpo.com
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