Peripheral arterial disease includes a range of vascular syndromes caused by atherosclerosis and thromboembolic pathophysiological processes that alter the normal structure and function of the aorta, its visceral arterial branches and the arteries of the lower extremity.
Individuals at risk for lower extremity peripheral arterial disease should undergo review of vascular symptoms and comprehensive vascular examination to assess walking impairment, claudication, ischemic rest pain and/or the presence of nonhealing wounds.
Patients with peripheral arterial disease may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. Symptoms may range from claudication presenting as exertional leg pain to chronic limb-threatening ischemia presenting as rest pain, ulceration or gangrene.