Peripheral Arterial Diseases

Abstract

Aneurysms of the abdominal aorta cannot be treated medically. Unless definite contraindications exist, operation should be performed.

Experimental studies have shown a relation between high serum cholesterol levels and atherosclerosis. The safety of the general use of triparanol in elevated serum cholesterol is still debatable.

Anticoagulants and vasodilators have not proved effective in arterial diseases.

In selected cases, sympathectomy is considered a valuable procedure.

Operation rather than use of fibrinolytic agents is recommended for most cases of emboli in the femoral or popliteal arteries. Results of vascular surgery in diabetics have been as good as those in nondiabetics. Aortography is not a necessary diagnostic procedure in abdominal aortic aneurysms, but is being used more frequently in hypertensive patients with possible occlusive disease.