Vascular diseases

Definition Livedo reticularis (LR) is a common vascular reaction pattern characterized by a reticular (net-like) discoloration on the extremities and trunk. It is caused by decreased blood flow to the skin or impaired outflow in the dermal venous plexus and stagnation of the blood within these vessels. The darker, discolored …

What is Venous Leg Ulcer? Venous leg ulcers, also known as stasis ulcers, are open wounds or sores that are chronic in nature (long-lasting). They can take months heal. If left unattended, these wounds increase in size with time. Venous leg ulcers occur on the skin of the lower leg …

What is Giant Cell Arteritis? Giant cell arteritis also called temporal arteritis or cranial arteritis is a disorder in which the lining of the large blood vessels in your head, and sometimes other parts of the body, become inflamed, which can narrow or completely block the affected arteries, compromising blood …

Understanding Takayasu’s arteritis Takayasu’s arteritis is an uncommon form of vasculitis. Inflammation damages large and medium-sized blood vessels. The vessels most commonly affected are the branches of the aorta (the main blood vessel that leaves the heart), including the blood vessels that supply blood to the arms and travel through …

Definition Vasculitis is a general term referring to a rare group of conditions marked by inflammation of blood vessels, causing them to be weakened, thickened, narrowed (stenosis), enlarged (aneurysm), blocked (occlusion), or scarred. There are many types of vasculitis based on the size of the vessel affected and may or …

Definition Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is a disorder resulting in vasospasm, a particular series of discolorations of the fingers and/or the toes after exposure to changes in temperature (cold or hot) or emotional events. Most people with RP have sensitivity to cold. Skin discoloration occurs because an abnormal spasm of the …

Definition Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a problem with poor blood flow. It affects blood vessels outside of the heart and brain and gets worse over time. Parts of the body, like the brain, heart, arms, or legs, may not get enough blood. The legs and feet are most commonly …

Definition Claudication is the crampy pain in patient’s legs with peripheral arterial disease. It often develops after walking a certain distance. The pain usually resolves with rest and is predictable. Patients tend to have this pain after walking a certain distance and they adjust their lives accordingly. The pain can …