Your arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood from your heart to other parts of your body. Your peripheral arteries carry blood away from the heart to your arms and legs. The peripheral arteries in your legs are extensions of the largest artery in your body, the aorta. The aorta travels down through your abdominal region and branches off into the iliac arteries of each leg. The iliac arteries further divide into smaller arteries and deliver blood down your legs to your toes.
Healthy peripheral arteries are smooth and unobstructed, allowing blood to flow freely to the legs and provide oxygen, glucose, and other nutrients that your legs need. Typically, with age, the peripheral arteries build up plaque, a sticky substance made up mostly of fat and cholesterol. Plaque narrows the passageway within the arteries and causes them to become stiff. Peripheral arterial disease results when the peripheral arteries become too narrow or obstructed and limit the blood flow to the legs.
At the most severe end of the P.A.D. spectrum, amputation leading to limb loss can occur. Non-healing or slow-healing ulcers are indications of such a threat. By working closely and collaborating with our allied medical colleagues in the community, our vascular surgeons see themselves as “leg savers.” We are committed to offer all that’s possible with state-of-the-art technology, to bring more blood flow to the affected extremity and prevent amputations. This ranges from risk factor modification and education, to diagnostic tests, and to a full continuum of endovascular and open treatments to help you keep on walking.
