Diagnosis of PAD
Investigations for PAD
- Medical History: Your healthcare provider will gather a detailed medical history from you.
- Physical Examination: They’ll check for signs of PAD, such as diminished pulsation in the affected limb, poor wound healing, and leg pain during activity.
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): This involves comparing blood pressures in your ankle and arm.
Investigations for PAD
- Blood Tests: Basic blood tests might be taken to measure blood counts, electrolyte levels, kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Sometimes additional tests to assess clotting are made.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Used painless ultrasound scan to assess blood flow through the arteries in the affected limbs. This is a dynamic test performed live by a specialist vascular sonographer. It provided detailed answers to how the blood flows and where narrowing or blockages are, and the effect of them on blood flow.
- CT Angiogram: A CT scan may be requested. During the scan a dye is injected into blood vessels, and a series of images show blood flow, and where the disease is located. It is used for planning treatment or for monitoring progress of the disease.
- Catheter-Based Angiography: This is a test that requires a fine tube to be inserted to the artery usually at the groin. It needs to be performed in a special room called an Angio-suite, or in an operating theatre. This investigation can also allow for a minimally invasive treatment to be performed at the same time through the same tube in the artery. Wires can be passed through blockages and balloons used to open the blockage up. Sometimes a stent is used to keep the blockage open to keep the blood flowing through.