Etiology

Arteritis obliterans of the inferior limbs: causes 

DEFINITIONS

Chronic arteritis obliterans of the inferior limbs is a disease of the artery walls that become shrunk or plugged by atherosclerosis. 

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is defined by: 

- Pain lying down lasting more than 15 days, or an ulcer, 

- As well as an arterial pressure at the ankle of ≤ 50 mmHg 

Acute ischemia is different from CLI. It’s usually a blood clot coming from the heart that plugs healthy arteries. 

PHYSIOPATHOLOGY

In most cases, when an artery shrinks (stenosis), progressively, a network of blood vessels develops (anastomosis) to supply the limb with a proper amount of oxygen. 

During exercise, (like walking or running), the muscular need in oxygen increases and requires a supplemental blood load that cannot be supplied if the artery is shrunk.  

CAUSES OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS: 

Atherosclerosis is responsible for most of the arterial lesions. The atheromatous plaques are made of an accumulation of fats and sugars, fibrous tissues and calciferous deposits. This plaque can cause either an embolism or a thrombosis of the artery. These plaques usually develop when blood vessels are branching out because of turbulences in blood flux. 

The risk factors of atherosclerosis are: 

- TOBACCO   : Every statistics have proven its toxicity. Moreover, tobacco can cause certain cancers and respiratory insufficiency. 

- DIABETES   : Diabetes must be rigorously treated to avoid sudden gangrenes.  

- OVERWEIGHT   : Do not compensate not smoking with food.  

- CHOLESTEROL :  If excessive in the blood, can be dangerous. It must be fought with dieting or, if needed, with medication..

- ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION: a blood pressure too high can damage the artery walls. Avoir having a blood pressure above 150/80. 

-HEREDITY