Advanced Endovascular Institute at Anaheim Memorial Advanced Endovascular Institute Home Page Peripheral Vascular Disease Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Renal Artery Stenosis Endovascular Procedures

Affecting approximately 8-12 million people in the United States, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a circulatory disorder characterized by narrowing of the blood vessels, usually in the legs.

This condition is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque (fatty substances along the inner wall of the arteries). It is similar to coronary artery disease, except that different regions of the body are affected.

PVD more commonly occurs in:

• Smokers
• Diabetics
• The elderly
• Those with a history of heart or carotid artery disease

• Cramping or fatigue in the legs while walking
• Non-healing sores on the feet or legs
• Pain in the feet while in bed
• Numbness and tingling

• Arterial duplex with ankle brachial index: a noninvasive Doppler ultrasound test to determine circulation abnormalities in the legs
• CT angiography: a CT scan using the latest technology to visualize the blood vessels

• Smoking cessation, exercise, drug therapy
• Laser therapy in selected cases
• Surgical bypass