ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses diseases that are typically the domain of the vascular surgeon, namely those affecting the peripheral arterial system: vascular disease that alters the normal structure and function of the aorta, its visceral branches and the arteries of the lower extremity. Peripheral arterial stenosis or occlusion is predominantly caused by atherosclerosis and/or thromboembolic disease but may also occur as a result of trauma. The muscle group affected by claudication is classically one anatomical level below the level of arterial disease and is usually felt in the posterior calf as the superficial femoral artery is the most commonly affected artery. Ulceration occurs with severe arterial insufficiency and ma present as painful erosions between the toes or as shallow, non-healing ulcers on the dorsum of the feet, on the shins and especially around the malleoli. Patients with arterial disease tend to be elderly and atherosclerosis is often a multisystem disease process.
