Peripheral vascular surgery

Patients may present with a wide range of manifestations of arterial occlusive disease. The clinician must be able to assess the magnitude of the arterial flow diminution and thereby determine the appropriate treatment regimen. A careful history, physical examination, and pertinent noninvasive vascular laboratory tests should provide adequate information for the clinician to establish the severity of disease and the need to pursue a medical or surgical treatment plan. Patient evaluation must be carried out expeditiously, especially when limb-threatening conditions such as infection or gangrene exist, because these problems may progress rapidly and result in major lower extremity amputation.