Peripheral Vascular Disease: Risks, Diagnosis, and Treatment Analysis

This assignment delves into the complexities of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). It begins by exploring the risks associated with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), including genetic predispositions, lifestyle factors, and pregnancy-related complications, along with the signs and potential complications of DVT. The assignment then examines the impact of pregnancy on vascular health, highlighting conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD) and the importance of early detection. Finally, it addresses the differential diagnosis and treatment of lower leg edema, differentiating between venous and arterial insufficiency, and discussing various treatment approaches for underlying causes like allergies, blood clots, and tumors. The assignment incorporates relevant research and provides a comprehensive overview of PVD and related conditions.

Running head: PERIPHERAL VESCULAR DISEASE 1
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Student’s name
Institutional Affiliation

PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE 2
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Question 1
Risks associated with Deep Vein Thrombosis include inheritance of a blood clotting
disorder, long periods of bed rest for instance in the event of a hospital stay or when paralyzed.
Surgery or injury and pregnancy can lead to the disease (Wilcox et al. 2018). The use of pills of
oral contraception or birth control and therapy for hormone replacement are two risks that can
lead to the disease. Cancer, smoking, and obesity are other reasons why people develop the
condition. People above the age of 60 are at a higher risk of contracting the disease compared to
those below the age (Wilcox et al. 2018). Other patients develop the condition due to a family
history of the same. Signs of the disease include rapid breath, feelings of light-headedness or
fainting and chest pain when coughing or taking a deep breath (Wilcox et al. 2018). Various
complications accrue from DVT. They include heart failure, pulmonary embolism, and Post-
thrombotic syndrome. Standard tests for ruling out DVT include Venography, D-dimer test, or an
Ultrasound.
Question 2
The period of pregnancy causes various significant hemodynamic and metabolic
alterations in the body. The body needs to be in a position to accommodate the growing fetus. At
times, the body might fail to adapt to the new changes, and this might lead to complications in
the woman’s health and wellbeing (Wilcox et al. 2018). Complications that accrue from such
phenomenon are referred to as hypertensive pregnancy disorders. They include preeclampsia,
hypertension, preterm birth, and Gestational Diabetes. Peripheral Artery Disease is one such
complication. The disease entails the blockage of blood vessels in the legs (Wilcox et al. 2018).
Physicians can save the woman’s life if the complication is detected early. Early detection

PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE 3
prevents the risk of acquiring a heart attack or stroke. A pregnant woman needs all the help she
can get to remain healthy especially during pregnancy.
Question 3
The standard differential diagnosis for adults that present with lower leg edema is venous
disease, adverse reaction to surgery of the ipsilateral limb, lipedema, and lymphedema. The
condition can be confirmed using lymphoscintigram (El-Harasis, et al., 2018), ultrasound, or
magnetic resonance imaging. Causes of the disease include low levels of albumin, allergic
reactions, obstruction of flow, and critical illnesses. Treatment of edema entails the treatment of
its underlying cause. For examples, allergens can be used in the treatment of allergies as a way of
treating edema (El-Harasis, et al., 2018). Edema caused by a block of fluid blockage can be
handled by making the fluid to start flowing again. The treatment of blood clots in the legs takes
the form of use of blood thinners, which streamline the flow of blood. The treatment of blood
tumors blocking the flow of blood takes the way of shrinking the tumor or removing it by the use
of surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy (El-Harasis, et al., 2018). The peripheral arterial disease
occurs when the leg muscles suffer restricted supply of blood. It results from cholesterol, fatty
materials, and plaque that build up in the arteries. Arterial insufficiency entails blockage of the
free flow of blood in the arteries whereas that in the veins is called venous insufficiency. Both
insufficient cause significant risk to health.
References

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El-Harasis, M., Connolly, H., Miranda, W., Qureshi, M., Sharma, N., Al-Otaibi, M., et al.
(2018). Progressive Right Ventricular Enlargement due to Pulmonary Regurgitation:
Clinical Characteristics of a “Low Risk” Group. American Heart Journal, 1(1), 134-144.
Wilcox, T., Newman, J., Maldonado, T., Rockman, C., & Jeffrey, B. (2018). Peripheral vascular
disease risk in diabetic individuals without coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis, 1(2),
216-227.