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Zorluk: KolayCardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery

A 64-year-old man comes to the clinic complaining of a reproducible cramping pain in his right calf that occurs after walking approximately two blocks. The pain is consistently relieved by 5 minutes of rest. He has a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. He has smoked a pack of cigarettes daily for the past 35 years. His temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F), blood pressure is 142/88 mm Hg, and pulse is 76/min. Physical examination of the lower extremities reveals diminished dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial pulses on the right side compared to the left. The skin on the right shin appears shiny and hairless. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

  1. Measurement of the ankle-brachial indexCevap
  2. B
    Computed tomography angiography of the lower extremities
  3. C
    Venous duplex ultrasonography
  4. D
    Measurement of serum D-dimer levels
  5. E
    Recommendation for a supervised walking program

Cevap

Measurement of the ankle-brachial index
The patient's presentation of reproducible calf pain relieved by rest in the setting of cardiovascular risk factors (heavy smoking, diabetes, hypertension) is classic for intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The most appropriate initial noninvasive diagnostic test for suspected PAD is the measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which compares the systolic blood pressure measured at the ankle to the systolic blood pressure measured at the brachial artery.

Adım Adım Çözüm

1
Analyze the patient's symptoms and risk factors.
The patient has exertional calf pain relieved by rest (intermittent claudication), decreased peripheral pulses, shiny skin, and multiple atherosclerotic risk factors (smoking, diabetes, hypertension).
Identifying the classic triad of symptoms and risk factors points directly to a diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
2
Determine the standard initial diagnostic test for this suspected condition.
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is chosen as the first-line test.
ABI is highly sensitive, specific, inexpensive, and noninvasive, making it the ideal initial test to objectively confirm PAD before proceeding to advanced imaging or treatment.

Anahtar Kavram

The initial diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is established using the ankle-brachial index (ABI).
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