One of the diseases that many people often have problems with today is vascular occlusion. Atherosclerosis, which can be seen in almost every part of the body, can lead to risky results. What causes atherosclerosis? Is there a treatment for vascular occlusion, what are the formulas? Here are all your questions about vascular occlusion, Fulya Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist Assoc. Dr. Cem Arıtürk gave an answer for Elmaelma.com readers.
WHAT CAUSES VASO OCCLUSION?
Peripheral vascular disease (PDH) is the degeneration of the arterial system in the body due to hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). During this degeneration, the internal space of the vessel narrows with the accumulation of lime and fat layers on the vessel walls, and then a complete blockage occurs with the progression of the disease. This disease, which can develop in every part of the body, causes life-threatening problems when it is seen in the heart and carotid arteries leading to the gentleman. Except for these regions, PDH is most commonly seen in the leg veins.
This disease, which progresses with progressively developing lime, oil-filled plaque formations in the arteries going to the legs and various complaints due to the decrease in flow in these regions, should be paid attention as it will both reduce the comfort of life of the person and cause important consequences in the future. needs.
Leg vascular occlusion, which is a disease that generally occurs in advanced ages (over 50 years of age), is more common in men than in women. Familial and genetic factors play a valuable role. It is one of the most valuable risk factors to be seen in mothers, fathers and siblings. Apart from this, if a person has developed atherosclerosis in a random part of the body, it means that the possibility of developing atherosclerosis in the legs has increased. However, life habits such as smoking, inactivity, unsystematic diet and chronic diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, kidney failure are among the factors that increase the incidence of vascular occlusion in the legs.
Stating that complaints can occur at different levels depending on the degree of narrowing in the leg veins and the location of the obstructions, Dr. Cem Arıtürk lists the frequently encountered complaints as follows:
Pain: Pain begins with walking and passes with rest. It is cramp-style pain in the muscles of the relevant region due to the malnutrition that occurs due to the inability to send enough oxygenated blood to the narrowed area. . While the pain is felt in the whole leg in the problems of the veins in the upper part of the leg, the problem in the occlusion of a vein in the knee region is in the region below the knee. The more severe the obstruction and stenosis, the less effort the pain occurs and the later it goes away. In the advanced periods of the disease, rest pain can be seen without effort. Paleness and coldness in the legs are other most common findings. However, hair reduction and skin changes are among the complaints that may be encountered in these patients in advanced periods.
Wound: Depending on the advanced deterioration of the nutrition of the legs and feet, either the wounds themselves can be opened or a wound opened due to a reason such as trauma or incision cannot heal.
Gangrene: It is the loss of vitality of the limb with malnutrition. The amputation (cut) of the gangrenous part is inevitable more than once.
If some findings are obtained after the examination, it is necessary to apply to imaging methods. Although Doppler ultrasonography of the arteries does not provide precise information about the status of the disease, it allows to obtain approximate findings about the status of the disease and the affected vessels. It is necessary to use angiographic diagnostic methods to make a definitive diagnosis and to guide treatment.
In magnetic resonance (MR) or computed tomography (CT) angiography, the location and degree of stenosis can be determined objectively and 3-dimensional anatomical features can be determined. With conventional angiography, it is possible to make a diagnosis during the process and in cases where treatment is required, balloon, stent or other processes can be performed.
HOW TO TREAT VASCULAR OBSTRUCTION?
There is a wide variety of treatment methods in leg vein occlusions. These can be counted as medication and walking, medical follow-up, angiographic treatment techniques and surgical attempts. Since the effects are different according to the stages of the disease, the treatment also differs according to the individual. Therefore, the treatment of people with leg vein occlusion should be planned by looking at the patient’s complaints, the vitality of the limb, and the social expectations of the person. In the presence of rest pain, gangrene on the leg or non-healing wound, an interventional treatment that will increase blood supply is absolutely necessary, as there is a risk of loss of limb and presumably life.
However, the treatment formula in patients who do not have any complaints other than the pain that comes with walking; It should be decided by considering factors such as the patient’s age, social rules, and how much his life is affected by the disease. E.g; While surgical treatment can be recommended in the treatment of pain that comes with 1 km walking in a 50-year-old, active, working patient, medical treatment can be recommended for an 80-year-old patient who goes out of the house 1-2 times a week and has pain with 250 meters of walking.
