Complications of untreated Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in the leg include permanent numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs or feet, permanent burning or aching pain in the legs or feet, gangrene (tissue death caused by lack of blood flow which may require amputation to treat it), and a higher-than-normal risk or heart attack and stroke.

Morning July 28, 2018, a female Patient N.T.T (78 years of age from Da Nang) got admitted to City International Hospital suffering from symptoms such as high fever, left leg swelling and completely unable to walk. She was diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), where fatty plaque builds up, and narrows or blocks arteries that carry blood from the heart to the arms, legs and other parts of the body narrowing so that the blood does not flow down the leg. The disease was putting her at risk for losing a limb, or worse for the preservation of life. Fortunately, her treating doctors had successfully rerouted blood vessels to save her leg.

A/Prof. Dr Mahen Nadarajah and his dedicated team

Treating the patient at City International Hospital, who is also Head of The Angiosuite-Heart, Brain & Vascular Institute – A/Prof. Dr Mahen Nadarajah explained: "In this case the disease is called Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries serving the legs, stomach, arms and head. As a result, the leg muscles cannot get enough blood and oxygen when they are working harder (such as during exercise or walking). If PAD becomes severe, there may not be enough blood and oxygen, even when the muscles are resting.

Due to the fact that the pain limits the patient’s movements, they gradually switch from active lifestyle to sedentary lifestyle. The result of this lifestyle is increased risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke and life expectancy. Peripheral arterial disease is common in the elderly, people with diabetes, high cholesterol level, and hypertension. If left untreated, it will lead to Gangrene, even limb amputation.”

“However, the good news is at City International hospital, “The Angiosuite”-Heart, Brain & Vascular Institute”, PAD is easily diagnosed in a simple, painless way. We use a minimally invasive endovascular approach, which involves accessing the artery by making a puncture and inserting a wire and a catheter to get to the diseased area.” shared Dr. Mahen.

After the procedure, Patient N.T.T was taken to ICU of City International Hospital for resuscitation and she was discharged a day later. At present, her left leg is no longer painful and she able to perform some light movements on her leg.

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