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Peripheral Artery Disease
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Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Specialized care for circulatory conditions
Peripheral artery disease (PAD), sometimes called peripheral vascular disease (PVD) or peripheral arterial disease, is a common but serious circulatory condition. It develops when the peripheral arteries – those outside the heart – become clogged with fatty deposits (plaque), causing them to narrow and reducing the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the muscles.
PAD most often affects arteries in the legs, but it can affect other arteries as well. Plaque buildup in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, occurs over many years. PAD affects an estimated one in 20 Americans over the age of 50. Undiagnosed, PAD may increase the risk for heart attack, stroke or limb loss.
Our vascular specialists are devoted full time to performing vascular surgery, including endarterectomy, bypass surgery and aneurysm repair to correct peripheral artery disease. |
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To find a doctor or make an appointment, call 1-800-DOCTORS.
Online Requests: Use our online form. Our coordinators will call you as a follow-up to your online request. |
In addition, our physicians are nationally recognized experts in both surgical and endovascular (minimally invasive) treatment of all disorders of arteries and veins.
Expert Care for PADOur experts in the Heart and Vascular Center often treat patients with complex vascular problems that other healthcare facilities are unable to treat. As part of an academic medical center, we offer best practice treatments based on research and clinical trials.
The Heart and Vascular Center’s Peripheral Artery Disease Program offers specialized care to meet the individual needs of our patients. And, we use electronic medical records to keep all information about a patient in one place and convenient to access. This makes it easier for the physician care team to communicate and collaborate about how best to care for the patient. Our specialists also work closely with referring physicians to deliver the best possible treatment.
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Phone Requests: Call 414-805-3666 or outside Milwaukee, 800-272-3666. Online Requests: Use our online request form. Our coordinators will call you as a follow-up to this online request.
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A Common but Serious ConditionPAD is a serious but treatable condition. It can cause leg pain and numbness and increase the risk of infection, but some people may have no symptoms until the disease has progressed. Because PAD can be caused by underlying atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), even mild cases without symptoms, can increase a person’s risk for heart attack, stroke and renal artery disease. Read more about PAD signs and symptoms.
Latest Approaches to Diagnosing PADBecause we are part of an academic medical center, the Heart and Vascular Center is at the forefront of new ways to diagnose PAD and other vascular diseases. This includes diagnostic CT angiography and a non-invasive vascular lab where certified technologists conduct tests to assess blood flow and locate blockage in blood vessels. Learn more about diagnosing PAD.
Advanced TreatmentsOur team of nationally recognized physician experts in vascular surgery, vascular medicine, cardiology and interventional radiology works together to provide a full range of treatment choices for PAD. Medical College of Wisconsin physicians offer many more specialized treatment options that are not readily available elsewhere. Our treatments are based on the latest research, including minimally invasive endovascular and surgical options, for the best possible outcomes.
Dedicated, Full-Time Vascular Surgery ExpertsOur program is strengthened by the full-time focus on the care of patients by our physicians, including a vascular medicine specialist, vascular surgeons and the vascular and interventional radiologists. The vascular team collaborates with cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and other specialists for a multidisciplinary approach. Meet our highly skilled vascular disease team.
ResearchConducting research to better understand vascular diseases such as PAD is an important part of our mission as an academic medical center. Our patients may participate in clinical trials of new treatment techniques, medications and devices. One such trial focuses on groundbreaking, innovative treatments for saving the limbs of patients who haven’t found success with traditional PAD treatments. We are committed to bringing the latest treatments and technology to our patients through research and clinical trials.
LocationsThe Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Program is part of the Heart and Vascular Center, which has many convenient locations throughout southeast Wisconsin.
Date: May 16, 2012 Last Review Date: Aug. 10, 2012 Online Editor(s): Kathryn Adam |
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