Peripheral Vascular Disease “A Spectrum”

Background: To observe the spectrum of peripheralvascular disease presenting in a tertiary care hospital.Method: This observational, descriptive study wascarried out in Surgical Unit –I at Holy Family Hospital,Rawalpindi over a period of two years. All the patientspresenting with peripheral vascular disorders excludingacute vascular trauma patients, diabetics and varicoseveins patients were included in the study.Results: A total of 49 patients presented to the hospital.The male to female ratio was 2:1.The average age ofpresentation was 50.2 years. About 35% patients presentedwith occlusive disease, 18% with autoimmune disease and14% with embolism. The less common causes of peripheralvascular disorders included femoral pseudoaneurysms in8% patients and true aneurysms of iliac, popliteal andsubclavian arteries in 12% patients. Bilateral gangrene ofboth lower limbs was seen in 4% patients.Conclusion: Peripheral vascular disease is commonerin males and is mostly seen in the sixth decade of life.Atherosclerotic occlusive disease is the commonest causeof peripheral vascular disease followed by vasculitis,embolisms and aneurysms