Lesson 1Indications for revascularization: endovascular vs open surgery, patient selection, peri-procedural planning, and outcomesIt shows when to think about revascularization for leg pain when walking or serious limb lack of blood. It compares tube treatments and open cuts, choosing patients, planning around the procedure, and real hopes for keeping blood flow and leg use.
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 clot stoppers, cholesterol lowers, blood pressure meds, and sugar control drugs for leg artery issues. Points out goals, big studies, picking drugs with other illnesses, and ways to help stick to them 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 way to measure ankle-arm blood pressure, ready patients, and tools. Explains reading levels, traps like hard arteries, and other tests when ankle reading is wrong 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 localizationExplains duplex scan basics for leg arteries, how to scan, and check parts. Stresses wave shapes, top speed ratios, and ways to grade narrow spots and find big 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 artifactsCovers CT artery scans and dye MRI for arteries, when to use, no-gos, and best ways. Looks at pictures, rebuilds, and spotting fake signs that look like or hide leg 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 into how artery hardening hits leg vessels, plaque growth, and blood flow harm. Stresses body-wide risks, how they mix, and lead to leg lack of blood and heart troubles.
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)Gives details on walking machine tests, toe-arm index, and skin oxygen measure. Focuses on standard ways, safety, reading levels, and how these help diagnose, predict, and pick treatments for leg arteries.
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 times after leg artery diagnosis or fix. Reviews watch tests, wound checks, send-on signs, and track prevent steps to stop 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 programs: prescription, expected benefits, and monitoringDescribes guided walking plans, home exercises, and set programs. Talks benefits how, time hopes, no-gos, and tools to check sticking, signs, and leg 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 ischemiaMakes clear usual signs of walking leg pain and serious limb lack of blood. Tells apart artery issues from nerve, bone, vein leg pains, to guide checks and quick sends for advanced help.
Typical intermittent claudication featuresSigns of critical limb ischemiaNeurogenic versus vascular claudicationMusculoskeletal and venous mimickersKey history and exam for differentiationLesson 11Acute limb ischemia recognition and first 24–48 hour management: anticoagulation, vascular surgery consult, thrombolysis and embolectomy basicsDeals with quick spot of sudden limb lack of blood, bed checks, and risk sorts. Sets right away blood thinners, scan picks, and work with cut doctors for clot melt, clot pull, 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
