ABSTRACT
Vascular surgery covers the management of a large and varied number of disorders affecting the arterial, venous and lymphatic systems. Most disorders seen by vascular surgeons are arterial and the result of atherosclerosis causing ischaemic symptoms of an end organ. Much can be done to improve the prognosis and symptoms of patients presenting with peripheral vascular disease through identification and modification of cardiovascular risk factors. Smoking is associated with a four times higher risk of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Suffering from diabetes mellitus is associated with a three times higher risk of PVD in men and a five times higher risk in women. Drug history can give important clues to underlying medical conditions not previously mentioned by the patient. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is a computerised technique for improving the image quality obtained at angiography. Arthritis of the knee or ankle may cause referred pain to the calf.
