PAD is a circulatory disease in which blocked or stenotic arteries (narrowed) reduce blood flow to the extremities, most commonly, the legs and feet. Arteries that supply blood to the legs can become narrowed over time due to fatty plaque buildup that blocks or restricts blood flow, making it painful to walk. Peripheral artery disease (PAD), is a chronic, life-threatening circulatory condition.
The most common cause of PVD is atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque inside the artery wall. Plaque reduces the amount of blood flow to the limbs. It also decreases the oxygen and nutrients available to the tissue. Blood clots may form on the artery walls, further decreasing the inner size of the blood vessel and block off major arteries.
Other causes of PVD may include:
People with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) frequently also have PVD, as both conditions share the same underlying mechanism of arterial plaque buildup. Patients with vascular conditions affecting circulation may also be at risk for complications related to Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS) if portal hypertension is involved, or may benefit from evaluation for Vascular Malformation Treatment if structural vascular abnormalities are suspected.
A risk factor increases your chance of developing a disease. Some can be changed, others cannot.
Risk factors that you can’t change:
Those who smoke or have diabetes have the highest risk of complications from PVD because these risk factors also cause impaired blood flow.
The main goals for treatment of PVD are to control the symptoms and halt the progression of the disease to lower the risk for heart attack, stroke, and other complications.
Treatment may include:
Using angioplasty, stent placement, or an atherectomy to treat PAD has many benefits, but, during any procedure there are risks. However, major complications are uncommon.
If untreated, PAD can progress to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) , a severe condition frequently associated with lower limb amputations. Increased access to interventional procedures including revascularization and atherectomy has significantly reduced lower extremity amputations in patients with severe PAD.
Limb preservation not only saves lives, it preserves independence, quality of life, and long-term wellbeing.
Patients with leg pain or vascular issues may also benefit from exploring our Genicular Arterial Embolization for Knee Pain, a minimally invasive option for knee pain caused by abnormal arterial growth. Similarly, patients with chronic lower limb or musculoskeletal pain may find Plantar Fasciitis Treatment and Tenosynovitis Treatment relevant.
PAD is a specific type of PVD that affects the arteries. PVD is a broader term that includes diseases of both arteries and veins in the limbs. PAD is the most common form of PVD.
Common symptoms include leg pain or cramping when walking (claudication), numbness or weakness in the legs, coldness in the lower leg or foot, sores on the feet or toes that won't heal, and a weak or absent pulse in the legs. If you experience these symptoms, seek evaluation immediately.
Yes, if left untreated, PAD can progress to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), which significantly raises the risk of lower limb amputation. Early intervention through angioplasty, stenting, or atherectomy can prevent this outcome.
No. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and sedation. Patients feel no pain during the procedure. Mild discomfort at the catheter insertion site may occur afterward.
Depending on the complexity of the blockage, angioplasty and stenting procedures typically take between 60 and 120 minutes. Most patients are discharged the same day.
Most patients resume light daily activities within a few days. Because these are minimally invasive procedures with no surgical incisions, recovery is significantly faster than open bypass surgery.
Interventional treatments effectively restore blood flow, but PAD is a chronic condition. Lifestyle changes including quitting smoking, managing diabetes, and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol are essential to prevent recurrence and further progression.
Yes. PAD and coronary artery disease (CAD) share the same root cause of atherosclerosis. Patients with PAD are at significantly higher risk of heart attack and stroke, which is why early treatment and risk factor management are critical.
All peripheral vascular interventions at IRCC Pakistan are performed by specialist interventional radiologists using real-time X-ray and imaging guidance for precision and safety.
Yes. IRCC Pakistan offers a full range of minimally invasive PVD treatments including angioplasty, stent placement, and atherectomy, all without open surgery. Book a consultation with our team today.
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