Lesson 1Indications for revascularisation: endovascular vs open surgery, patient selection, peri-procedural planning, and outcomesExplains when to consider revascularisation for leg pain when walking and severe limb shortage of blood. Compares keyhole and open surgery options, choosing right patients, planning around procedures, and real expectations for keeping vessels open and leg function.
Indications in claudication versus CLIEndovascular techniques and devicesOpen surgical bypass principlesAnatomic and clinical selection factorsOutcome expectations and complication risksLesson 2Medical management: antiplatelet therapy, statins, antihypertensives, glycemic control — drug classes, example agents, targets, and evidence basisLooks at blood thinning drugs, cholesterol-lowering statins, blood pressure meds, and sugar control in leg artery disease. Covers target levels, major studies, choosing drugs with other illnesses, and ways to stick to treatment while avoiding side effects.
Antiplatelet options and dosing in PADLipid lowering intensity and statin choiceBlood pressure targets and drug classesGlycemic control strategies in PADPolypharmacy, adherence, and monitoringLesson 3Ankle-brachial index (ABI): technique, interpretation, and limitations (including falsely elevated ABI)Step-by-step on measuring ankle-arm blood pressure index, preparing patient, and equipment. Explains reading levels, problems like hardened arteries, and extra tests when the index is wrong or unclear.
Patient positioning and cuff selectionDoppler probe placement and readingsABI calculation and cutoff valuesRecognizing falsely elevated ABIWhen to use TBI or other adjunct testsLesson 4Duplex ultrasonography for PAD: waveform analysis, peak systolic velocity ratios, and segmental localisationCovers ultrasound basics for leg arteries, scanning method, and checking sections. Stresses wave shapes, speed ratios, and signs of narrowings and where blockages affect blood flow.
Probe selection and patient positioningArterial mapping and segmental approachWaveform patterns in health and diseasePeak systolic velocity ratio criteriaReporting and documentation standardsLesson 5Advanced vascular imaging: CTA and contrast-enhanced MRA indications, protocols, and common artifactsDiscusses CT angiogram and MRI angiogram with dye for leg arteries, when to use, avoiding risks, and best methods. Reviews images, rebuilding, and spotting false signs that look like or hide artery disease.
Patient selection for CTA versus MRAContrast use, dosing, and safety issuesAcquisition parameters and reconstructionRecognition of motion and metal artifactsStrategies to reduce artifacts and misreadsLesson 6Pathophysiology of atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease (PAD) and risk factorsExamines plaque buildup in leg arteries, how it worsens, and blood flow effects. Highlights body-wide risks, how they combine, leading to poor leg blood and heart problems.
Atherogenesis in peripheral arterial bedsEndothelial dysfunction and inflammationHemodynamic impact of stenosis and occlusionTraditional and emerging PAD risk factorsRisk factor clustering and global CV riskLesson 7Noninvasive functional tests: treadmill testing, toe-brachial index, and transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2)Protocols for walking tests, toe-arm index, and skin oxygen measure. Covers standards, safety, reading levels, and how these help diagnose, predict, and choose treatments for leg artery issues.
Treadmill protocols and safety measuresTreadmill test interpretation in PADToe-brachial index technique and cutoffsTcPO2 measurement setup and calibrationFunctional tests in treatment decision-makingLesson 8Follow-up strategies for PAD patients: frequency, surveillance tests, wound care referral triggers, and secondary prevention metricsPlans check-up times after leg artery diagnosis or treatment. Reviews monitoring tests, wound checks, when to refer, and tracking prevention to avoid leg loss and heart events.
Post-intervention surveillance schedulesUse of ABI and duplex in follow-upFoot exams and wound referral criteriaMonitoring risk factor control metricsPatient education and self-care plansLesson 9Exercise therapy and supervised walking programmes: prescription, expected benefits, and monitoringSupervised walking, home exercises, and planned activity scripts. Covers how it helps, timelines, when not to use, and tracking sticking to it, symptoms, and leg improvements.
Exercise prescription components in PADSupervised versus home-based programsMechanisms of improved walking distanceMonitoring symptoms and functional gainsContraindications and safety precautionsLesson 10Clinical presentation and differential diagnoses of intermittent claudication and critical limb ischaemiaTypical signs of leg pain on walking and severe limb lack of blood. Distinguishes artery issues from nerve, muscle, vein leg pains, for right checks and quick specialist referrals.
Typical intermittent claudication featuresSigns of critical limb ischemiaNeurogenic versus vascular claudicationMusculoskeletal and venous mimickersKey history and exam for differentiationLesson 11Acute limb ischaemia recognition and first 24–48 hour management: anticoagulation, vascular surgery consult, thrombolysis and embolectomy basicsQuick spotting of sudden limb blood cut-off, bedside checks, risk levels. Covers starting blood thinners, scans, and working with surgeons for clot busters, removal, or urgent fix.
Clinical classification of acute limb ischemiaBedside vascular exam and Doppler useInitial anticoagulation and monitoringIndications for urgent vascular consultBasics of thrombolysis and embolectomy
