Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Intermittent claudication is a symptom and is by definition diagnosed by a patient reporting a history of leg pain with walking relieved by rest. However, as other conditions such as sciatica can mimic intermittent claudication, testing is often performed to confirm the diagnosis of peripheral artery disease. [citation needed]
The symptoms are caused by ischemia of the tissues. Intermittent claudication is manifested by pain, (cramping), numbness, and fatigue in the muscles on exercise. These symptoms are relieved by rest. There may be “rest pain” at night when in bed. Also increased sensitivity to cold, muscular weakness, stiffness of the joints, and paresthesia .
The prognosis for patients with peripheral vascular disease due to atherosclerosis is poor; patients with intermittent claudication due to atherosclerosis are at increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease (e.g. heart attack), because the same disease that affects the legs is often present in the arteries of the heart. [8]
Although cilostazol would not be approvable for a trivial condition the Cardio-Renal Advisory Committee and FDA concluded that fully informed patients and physicians should be able to choose to use it to treat intermittent claudication. Patient and physician labeling will describe the basis for concern and the incomplete information available. [6]
The risk is low that an individual with claudication will develop severe ischemia and require amputation, but the risk of death from coronary events is three to four times higher than matched controls without claudication. [74] Of patients with intermittent claudication, only "7% will undergo lower-extremity bypass surgery, 4% major amputations ...
Critical limb ischemia is diagnosed by the presence of ischemic rest pain, and an ulcers that will not heal or gangrene due to insufficient blood flow. [3] Insufficient blood flow may be confirmed by ankle-brachial index (ABI), ankle pressure, toe-brachial index (TBI), toe systolic pressure, transcutaneous oxygen measurement (TcpO2 ), or skin perfusion pressure (SPP).
Exercise testing is a simplistic, non-invasive method of diagnosing intermittent claudication. Blood pressure measurements at the suspected area can be taken before and after exercise, as some symptoms only appear during strenuous activity. [3] Commonly, a treadmill setting at 2 mph with a 12-degree slope is utilized.
Claudication is also considered a symptom of peripheral artery disease. [9] Popliteal bypass surgery may be performed on people with the following symptoms and conditions: [10] Disruption in daily life or the ability to walk from intermittent claudication; Persistent wounds in the leg; Infection or gangrene