Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

honeypot link

Overview of Peripheral Arterial Disease

(Peripheral Vascular Disease)

By

Koon K. Teo

, MBBCh, PhD, McMaster University

Reviewed/Revised Jul 2023
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
GET THE QUICK FACTS
Topic Resources

Peripheral arterial disease results in reduced blood flow in the arteries of the trunk, arms, and legs.

Blood Vessels
VIDEO

Causes

Peripheral arterial disease may be described as

Occlusive peripheral arterial disease is due to something that physically narrows or blocks arteries. The most common cause is atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a condition in which patchy deposits of fatty material (atheromas or atherosclerotic plaques) develop in the walls of medium-sized and large arteries, leading to reduced or... read more Atherosclerosis caused by buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fatty material, and fibrin (a clotting protein). Fibromuscular dysplasia Fibromuscular Dysplasia Fibromuscular dysplasia is abnormal thickening of the walls of arteries that is not related to atherosclerosis or inflammation but that causes artery narrowing or blockage. Fibromuscular dysplasia... read more is an example of occlusive peripheral arterial disease caused by abnormalities in the cells in the vessel wall.

In functional peripheral arterial disease, blood flow is decreased because the arteries do not function properly. Usually the dysfunction involves a sudden, abnormal contraction of the muscles (spasm) within the walls of the blood vessels. The spasm causes a temporary narrowing that reduces blood flow. More rarely, the condition is due to abnormal relaxation of the muscles within the walls of the blood vessels, leading to a widening (vasodilation) of arteries. Acrocyanosis Acrocyanosis Acrocyanosis, a functional peripheral arterial disease, is a persistent, painless bluish discoloration of both hands and, less commonly, of both feet, caused by spasm of the small blood vessels... read more Acrocyanosis , erythromelalgia Erythromelalgia Erythromelalgia is a rare syndrome in which small arteries (arterioles) of the skin dilate periodically, causing a burning pain, making the skin feel hot, and making the feet and, less often... read more , and Raynaud syndrome Raynaud Syndrome Raynaud syndrome, a functional peripheral arterial disease, is a condition in which small arteries (arterioles), usually in the fingers or toes, narrow (constrict) more tightly than normal in... read more Raynaud Syndrome are examples of functional peripheral vascular diseases.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz!
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP