Promoting awareness and diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also known as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is a priority at Duke.

More than half the patients who have this blockage of the vessels that supply blood to the organs and limbs have severe coronary disease as well.

The risk factors for peripheral vascular disease and peripheral artery disease (when blockage occurs in the leg arteries) parallel those of heart disease: diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Duke physicians aggressively pursue and evaluate new drug therapies as well as the use of the latest catheter-based technologies to improve blood flow to the limbs.