Lesson 1Indications for revascularisation: endovascular vs open surgery, patient selection, peri-procedural planning, and outcomesExplains when to think about revascularisation for leg pain when walking or severe limb shortage of blood. Compares keyhole and open surgery choices, picking the right patients, planning around the procedure, and real hopes for keeping vessels open and better 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 meds, cholesterol-lowers, blood pressure drugs, and sugar controls in leg artery disease. Covers goals, big studies, choosing meds with other illnesses, and ways to stick to treatment while cutting 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 ratio, prepping the patient, and gear. Covers reading levels, traps like hardened arteries, and extra tests when the reading is off 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 localizationCovers ultrasound basics for leg arteries, scanning methods, and checking sections. Stresses wave shapes, top speed ratios, and spotting narrowings that 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 artifactsDeals with CT angiogram and MRI with dye for leg arteries, when to use, no-gos, and best setups. Reviews images, rebuilds, and spotting glitches that look like or hide artery problems.
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 factorsDives into plaque buildup in leg arteries, how it grows, and blood flow effects. Highlights body-wide risks, how they mix, leading 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)Full details on walking machine tests, toe-arm pressures, and skin oxygen checks. Covers standards, safety, readings, and how they shape diagnosis, outlook, and choices in leg artery disease.
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-ups post leg artery diagnosis or fix. Reviews monitoring tests, wound checks, when to send to specialists, 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 monitoringOutlines guided walking sessions, home plans, and exercise scripts. Discusses how it helps, timelines, no-gos, and tracking sticking power, 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 ischemiaClears up signs of walking leg pain and severe limb blood shortage. Sets apart artery issues from nerve, muscle, vein leg pains, for right checks and quick specialist sends.
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 basicsCovers quick spot of sudden limb blood block, bedside checks, risk sorts. Outlines fast blood thinning, scans, and teaming with surgeons for clot busters, removal, or urgent fixes.
Clinical classification of acute limb ischemiaBedside vascular exam and Doppler useInitial anticoagulation and monitoringIndications for urgent vascular consultBasics of thrombolysis and embolectomy
