Promoting awareness, diagnosis, and treatment 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.

Peripheral vascular disease services are provided by the Division of Cardiology, the Division of Vascular Surgery, and the Division of Interventional Radiology.

Program Highlights

• Provides leadership in the development of new therapies, such as the use of substances called growth factors to stimulate blood vessel development
• Offers patients access to the latest medications to control the symptoms and effects of peripheral arterial disease
• Includes programs that guide and support patients through beneficial lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation and improved diet and exercise
• Provides leadership in use of minimally invasive techniques such as angioplasty and stent placements
• Houses design or testing center for several of the stents, catheters, and steerable guide wires (which allow physicians to manipulate the catheters within the blood vessels) that have been developed over the past several years

Appointments

Make an appointment with a Duke heart specialist near you: 1-888-ASK-DUKE (1-888-275-3853)