Peripheral Vascular Disease

Megan McClintock

Peripheral Artery Disease

• Definition

• Etiology/Pathophysiology

• Signs & symptoms

• Complications

• Diagnostic studies

• Treatment

PAD Treatment

• Risk factor modification• Drug therapy• Exercise therapy• Nutritional therapy• Alternative therapy• Careful care of the ischemic leg• Interventional radiologic procedures

– Percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty– Stents

• Surgical therapy– Peripheral arterial bypass – Endarterectomy– Patch graft angioplasty– Amputation

PAD Interventions

• Nursing care plan (pg _____)• Health Promotion

– Risk prevention

• Acute– Postop care– Ankle-brachial index measurements– Avoid knee-flex positions

• Ambulatory/Home Care– Smoking cessation– Meticulous foot care

Venous Thrombosis

• Definition

• Etiology/Pathophysiology– Virchow’s triad

• Venous stasis• Endothelial damage• Hypercoagulability of blood

• Signs & symptoms– Superficial thrombophlebitis– Deep vein thrombosis

DVT Treatment

• Prevention– Early mobilization– TED hose– ICDs

• Non-pharmacologic therapy• Drug therapy

– Anticoagulants• Unfractionated heparin• Low molecular weight heparin• Hirudin• Coumarin compounds

• Surgical therapy

Venous Thrombosis Interventions

• Acute– Prevention of emboli formation– Reduction of inflammation

• Ambulatory/Home Care– Smoking cessation– Avoidance of constrictive garments– No BCPs or hormones– Avoid prolonged standing or sitting– Teach s/s of pulmonary embolism– Bleeding care

Venous Leg Ulcers

• Definition• Etiology/Pathophysiology• Signs & symptoms• Treatment

– Compression– Moist environment dressings– Nutritional status and intake– Observation for infection

• Nursing care– Proper foot and leg care– Avoiding standing/sitting – Elevate the legs

Pulmonary Embolism

• Definition• Etiology/Pathophysiology• Signs & symptoms• Complications• Diagnostic studies• Treatment

– Conservative therapy– Drug therapy– Surgical therapy