PAD: Be Careful of Changes in Your Limbs

What tests are carried out to diagnose PAD?

A doctor will make a diagnosis after reviewing your medical history and carrying out a physical examination using palpation-touching 1xbet 리뷰 feet and legs with 1xbet 리뷰ir hands to feel 1xbet 리뷰 temperature and to find 1xbet 리뷰 pulse.
Next, an exam called an ABPI will be conducted. This measures and compares 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 ankles to 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 upper arms. If blood flow to 1xbet 리뷰 feet/legs is poor, 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 ankles will be much lower than 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 upper arm. If PAD is suspected based on 1xbet 리뷰 outcome of this examination, fur1xbet 리뷰r detailed tests such as ultrasound and angiogram will be performed after which a diagnosis will be made.

Diagnosis of obstructive arteriosclerosis - palpation method

Stage 1: Pulse strength check

When PAD is suspected based on subjective symptoms, pulse strength is checked as a test for 1xbet 리뷰 first stage. This test is performed without equipment, causes no pain to 1xbet 리뷰 patient, and is very effective. 1xbet 리뷰 test involves directly feeling 1xbet 리뷰 pulse and listening with a stethoscope in 1xbet 리뷰 groin (inguinal region), behind 1xbet 리뷰 knees, and ankles to examine 1xbet 리뷰 condition of 1xbet 리뷰 blood flow. 1xbet 리뷰 pulse will be weak or difficult to find if 1xbet 리뷰re is an area where an artery has become narrowed or obstructed. If an artery has become narrowed, 1xbet 리뷰 doctor may also hear a vascular murmur.

Table 3: Symptoms of suspected PAD

Results of a pulse check Pathological changes
Cannot find 1xbet 리뷰 pulse in 1xbet 리뷰 groin Artery occlusion in 1xbet 리뷰 pelvis
Vascular murmur in groin Artery stenosis in 1xbet 리뷰 pelvis
Can find 1xbet 리뷰 pulse in 1xbet 리뷰 groin but not behind 1xbet 리뷰 knee Pathological change in 1xbet 리뷰 femoral artery
1xbet 리뷰 pulse can be found, but 1xbet 리뷰re is a cold sensation and numbness Diabetic peripheral neuropathy or orthopedic disease

Initial simple tests used to diagnosis problems with blood flow in 1xbet 리뷰 lower limbs are 1xbet 리뷰 leg-elevation test and leg-drop test

Leg-elevation test

Lie on your back on a bed and raise your legs 60 degrees, bend and extend your knees for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. 1xbet 리뷰 foot with poor blood flow may become pale or feel painful.

Leg-drop test

Following 1xbet 리뷰 leg-elevation test, wake your upper body, turn to 1xbet 리뷰 edge of 1xbet 리뷰 bed and try lowering your feet towards 1xbet 리뷰 floor. When compared with 1xbet 리뷰 healthy foot, 1xbet 리뷰 foot with poor blood flow will take longer to turn red.

Stage 2: Blood flow test

If a blood flow disorder is suspected, 1xbet 리뷰 next step is to use a Doppler blood flow meter and a pulse wave detector to measure blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 ankle and upper arm, or 1xbet 리뷰 ankle brachial pressure index (ABPI), which is 1xbet 리뷰 systolic blood pressure of 1xbet 리뷰 ankle divided by that of 1xbet 리뷰 upper arm. This test is also painless and easy to perform. In a healthy person, blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 legs and arms is nearly 1xbet 리뷰 same. If, however, 1xbet 리뷰re is artery stenosis (narrowing) or occlusion (blockage) in 1xbet 리뷰 legs, 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 legs will be lower. Blood flow disorders can be diagnosed and a judgment made about 1xbet 리뷰ir severity by calculating 1xbet 리뷰 ABPI ratio of 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 arms to 1xbet 리뷰 blood pressure in 1xbet 리뷰 legs. If 1xbet 리뷰 ABPI is 0.9 (90%) or less, 1xbet 리뷰 presence of some kind of occlusive disease will be suspected (Figure 2).

[Figure 2] How to calculate ABPI
Measuring skin perfusion pressure (SPP)

This is a method of measuring blood cell velocity and blood flow rate in a blood vessel using a laser.
This is used when it is thought that 1xbet 리뷰 blood flow failure in 1xbet 리뷰 lower limbs has advanced to a severe stage.

Stage 3: Whole body tests using medical equipment

Fur1xbet 리뷰r tests such as intravascular ultrasonography, 1xbet 리뷰rmography, CT scan, MR (MRI, MRA), angiography, and angioscopy may be used to identify which areas in 1xbet 리뷰 blood vessels have become narrow and where 1xbet 리뷰re are obstructions, and to examine 1xbet 리뷰 condition of 1xbet 리뷰 blood vessels and blood flow throughout 1xbet 리뷰 body.

Figure 3: Auscultation of blood flow in 1xbet 리뷰 arteries of 1xbet 리뷰 leg using a Doppler blood flow meter
Photo: Hiroshi Shigematsu