CHAPTER 1 Cardiovascular System^19
- Weak or absence of pulse in affected area because blood flow is reduced
or blocked. - Decreased temperature distal to the blockage because of restricted blood
flow. - Pallor or patchy coloring (mottling) of affected area because of reduced
tissue oxygenation. - Dependent rubor (increased redness when legs are lower).
- Hair loss on extremities.
INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS
- Doppler ultrasonography of affected area.
- Arteriography. Dye is injected into the affected artery enabling an outline of
the artery and blockage to be seen in an x-ray. - Ankle brachial index (ABI) helps to determine the amount of arterial insuf-
ficiency.
TREATMENT
The goal of treatment is to maintain adequate blood flow to the area and avoid tis-
sue damage. Patients are encouraged to maintain activity and reduce risks for dis-
ease, such as smoking, as well as to control blood pressure and monitoring diabetes.
Medical treatment:
- Exercise.
- Smoking cessation.
- Decrease in lipids, depending on what the labwork shows.
Surgical treatment:
- Femoropopliteal bypass graft: A vessel from another part of the body is
removed and grafted to the affected artery, permitting blood to bypass the
blockage. - Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty: A catheter containing a balloon is
inserted into the affected artery. The balloon is inflated, stretching the artery;
this causes a healing response that breaks up plaque on the artery wall.