Lesson 1Indications for revascularisation: endovascular vs open surgery, patient selection, peri-procedural planning, and outcomesDefines when to think about revascularisation for claudication and limb-threatening ischaemia. Compares endovascular and open methods, patient choice, peri-procedural planning, and realistic hopes for patency and functional results.
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, glycaemic control — drug classes, example agents, targets, and evidence basisReviews antiplatelet drugs, statins, blood pressure meds, and glucose-lowering drugs in PAD. Highlights treatment goals, key studies, drug choice with other conditions, and ways to boost adherence and cut 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)Gives step-by-step ABI measurement method, patient prep, and equipment setup. Explains reading thresholds, issues like medial calcification, and extra tests when ABI is falsely high or not clear.
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 localisationExplains duplex ultrasound basics for PAD, scanning method, and segmental check. Stresses waveform shape, peak systolic velocity ratios, and rules for grading narrowing and finding major blockages.
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 artefactsCovers CTA and contrast-enhanced MRA uses, no-gos, and protocol tweaks. Reviews image capture, rebuild, and spotting common artefacts that might look like or hide peripheral 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 factorsLooks at plaque buildup in peripheral arteries, plaque growth, and blood flow effects. Stresses body-wide risk factors, how they mix, and how they lead to limb lack of blood and heart risks.
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)Details steps for treadmill tests, toe-brachial index, and TcPO2. Focuses on standards, safety, reading levels, and how these tests help diagnose, predict, and pick treatments for PAD.
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 metricsSets out regular check-up times after PAD diagnosis or procedure. Reviews monitoring tests, wound checks, referral signs, and tracking prevention measures to avoid limb 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 monitoringDescribes supervised walking, home plans, and structured exercise scripts. Discusses how it helps, timelines, no-gos, and tools to track sticking to it, symptoms, and gains.
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 ischaemiaClears up usual signs of intermittent claudication and critical limb ischaemia. Tells PAD apart from nerve, muscle, and vein leg pain causes, for targeted checks and quick 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 basicsCovers quick spotting of acute limb ischaemia, bedside checks, and risk levels. Sets out fast anticoagulation, imaging picks, and working with vascular surgery for clot busting, 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
