NONSURGICAL MAN AGEMENT OF PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASES

Abstract

The incidence of atherosclerotic vascular diseases has markedly increased among patients especially those with diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and smokers. Atherosclerosis is primarily an intimal disease characterized by localized accumulation of lipid forming an atheroma (fibrofatty plaque) which is a raised, localized lesion within the intima. The recent study of pathogenesis of atherosclerosis showing that there is a role, of increased level of homocysteine, and infection such as cytomegalovirus, and chlamydia pneumoniae. The major clinical manifestation of atherosclerosis at the peripheral vessels of lower extremities is intermittent claudication which may proceed to critical lower limb ischemia. The most important step in the management of intermittent claudication or critical lower limb ischemia is to control risk factors which include smoking cessation, treatment of dyslipidemia, treatment of homocystiene level,