Medical Diagnosis card

Primary Diagnosis:
Peripheral vascular disease ( unspecified)

Define:
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of blood vessels outside
the heart and brain. It’s often a narrowing of vessels that carry blood to the legs,
arms, stomach or kidneys.

Impact on Care :

NEED TO KNOW
There are two types of PVD:
Functional PVDs don’t involve defects in blood vessels’ structure. (The blood
vessels aren’t physically damaged.) These diseases often have symptoms
related to “spasm” that may come and go.
Organic PVDs are caused by structural changes in the blood vessels. Examples
could include inflammation and tissue damage.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a type of organic PVD. It’s caused by fatty
buildups (atherosclerosis) in the inner walls of arteries. These deposits block
normal blood flow.

RISK FACTOR

 Left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene (impairment) and amputation of

limbs.
 If the blockage occurs in a carotid artery, it can cause a stroke. Most
patients with
 PAD have a higher risk of death from heart attack and stroke.

ASSESSMENT AND DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS:

 Trophic changes in skin and nails such as dryness, scaling, and thinning
of skin; decreased or absent hair growth, brittle and thickened nails and
gangrenous changes marking death and decay of tissues.
 Pain related to decreased oxygen supply to tissues.
 Risk for impaired skin integrity related to compromised tissue perfusion.
 Angiography may confirm the diagnosis and shows vascular obstructions
or aneurysms and the presence of collateral circulation
Treatment
 stopping smoking
 controlling blood pressure
 being physically active
 eating a diet low in saturated and trans fats

PAD may require drug treatment, including:

 antiplatelet agents to prevent blood clots
 cholesterol-lowering medicine (statins)
 high blood pressure medicine

Nursing Intervention

 Promote Vasodilation: Provide warmth with gloves, socks and other

outerwear as appropriate.
 Teach the client to avoid constricting clothes, such as garters, knee-high
stockings and belts.
 Provide proper positioning: Place the client’s legs in a dependent
position in relation to the heart to improve peripheral blood flow