Evaluation of Patient with Peripheral Arterial Disease: General Surgeons’ Perspective

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a growing global health concern, affecting over 200 million people, with a significant impact in India due to factors like aging, diabetes, and smoking. The shortage of vascular surgeons in India, particularly in rural areas, necessitates general surgeons to manage PAD diagnosis and treatment. Accurate diagnosis involves a comprehensive history and physical examination, with tools like the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) being crucial, though alternatives are needed for calcified vessels. Various diagnostic methods, including pulse volume recording, continuous-wave Doppler, and duplex ultrasound, are discussed, with catheter-based contrast angiography as the gold standard for imaging. The document emphasizes the importance of these diagnostic tools in guiding effective management strategies for PAD.