Treatment and medication of peripheral artery disease

Author:
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker

Treatment aims to reduce the progression of the disease, maintain the best possible functionality of blood circulation and reduce the risk of complications.

The disease requires a long-term treatment.

In peripheral arterial disease, there is involvement of several areas of the bloodstream. Not just one vessel or part of a vascular system.

The most frequently affected blood vessels are common carotid arteries, coronary arteries and cerebral arteries, or a combination of the three.

The goal of treatment is to prevent limb bleeding and critical limb ischemia, which is at risk of amputation.

as well as maintaining the quality of life.

Conservative and invasive treatment methods are combined.

It is important to evaluation and eliminate risk factors, such as:

Sufficient physical activity and kinesiotherapy - important treatment methods - are important in treatment. A regular daily walk is also required.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and stem cell therapy may help.

The reduction of modifiable factors is followed by pharmacological treatment.

Pharmacological treatment includes:

  • antiplatelet medication - anticoagulants, antiplatelet therapy
  • vasodilators - medicines to dilate blood vessels, improving blood flow
  • ACE inhibitors - for the treatment of hypertension
  • statins - cholesterol
  • diabetes medications - adequate treatment of diabetes
  • analgesics - painkillers

Invasive treatment is of major importance to save the limb.

The task is to restore sufficient blood flow. Examples are critical vasoconstriction, revascularization, endovascular treatment and vascular surgery are used.

In case of skin defects, a surgical treatment, thorough skin and wound care could be a treatment option. The patient might also want to seek treatment of infection, necrosis or gangrene with antibiotics.

If the treatment cannot be managed for various reasons or if it is neglected, there is a risk of amputation of the dead part of the limb. The extent depends on the evaluation of vascular damage and the present necrosis or gangrene.

Other comorbidities must be managed as well, such as diseases of the cardiovascular system or diabetes.

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Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker
The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.
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