Angiopathy of the lower extremities

Author Ольга Кияница

2018-06-26

The group of vascular diseases includes angiopathy of the lower extremities, which is associated with impaired blood circulation and the structure of the vascular network of the legs. The disease can last for a long time and without severe symptoms. Trophy of trophism of tissues causes various complications, therefore full diagnostics and rapid treatment of the disease is required.

Angiopathy of the lower extremities (ANC) is a vascular disease, which, through impaired blood circulation in the extremities, contributes to insufficient trophism of tissues. Most often diabetic angiopathy occurs, although there are other forms of pathology.

The most serious complication of lower extremity angiopathy is amputation, so it is important for all patients at risk to know the signs of the disease, which will help in the timely diagnosis and treatment of ANC.

There are various methods for determining ANC, among which considerable importance is given to angiography and dopplerography. With concomitant diseases, electrocardiography and radiography can be performed. As a result, even with mild symptoms, pathology can be determined at early stages of development.

Video: Angiopathy of the lower extremities in diabetes mellitus - treatment. Macroangiopathy of the vessels of the neck

Description

Vascular mesh damage can occur in any part of the body, but the lower extremities are most often angiopathic. During the onset of the disease, the microcirculation of the bed changes, which is a vast plexus. Sometimes ANC is determined even in clinically healthy people and there are reasons for this.

Angiopathy is a general term for the disease of blood vessels (arteries, veins and capillaries).

Accordingly, ICD-10 angiopathy was assigned code 179.2. Also, two large subgroups are distinguished, based on the magnitude of vascular lesions:

  1. Microangiopathies - small vessels of various internal organs (kidneys, retina, etc.) are involved in the pathological process.
  2. Macroangiopathy - the changes are mainly related to large arteries, so this form of angiopathy is inherent in lower limb disease.

A prolonged course of angiopathy is characterized by a gradual decrease in the tone of the vessels and a decrease in their lumen, as a result of which the blood begins to not pass so intensely through the altered areas. The emergence of ANC can be associated with the following development mechanisms:

  • Damage of the muscular layer of the vessel wall
  • Changing the Nervous Regulation

Regardless of the true cause of development of the ANC, the affected vessels are spasmodic, their lumen decreases, and the blood flow along them decreases. Against the background of such changes, there are characteristic clinical signs, and in severe cases - serious complications.

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Causes

There are various factors in the development of pathology, but diabetes is of paramount importance. According to statistics, about 70% of patients with ANC initially suffer from this disease, as there is an excess of glucose in the blood.Then they talk about diabetic angiopathy. In such cases, the ANC acts as a complication of diabetes, therefore, with a decrease in the severity of the underlying disease, angiopathy is relieved.

Second place among the causes of the ANC is hypertension , that is hypertension. With this pathology, the vessels are not able to withstand a constant increase in blood pressure, as a result of which there is destruction of their walls or compensatory spasm of blood vessels.

Another reason for the ANC may be:

  • atherosclerosis;
  • traumatic vascular injury;
  • disturbance of the nervous regulation of the vascular walls;
  • pathology of the hematopoietic system;
  • hypotension;
  • autoimmune processes, in particular, vasculitis;
  • metabolic diseases;
  • disruption of the structure of the walls of blood vessels of hereditary or congenital origin.

There are risk factors that significantly increase the likelihood of angiopathy. These include:

  • the presence of bad habits;
  • work with toxic and harmful substances;
  • physiological aging of the body.

A thorough study of the causes of the development of the ANC allows for more effective and effective treatment of the disease.

Clinic

When considering two forms of ANC, it is worth pointing out the symptoms that are characteristic of each of them.

Microangiopathy does not appear at first. With the use of a specific diagnosis at this stage, changes in the vessels can be determined, which subsequently lead to uncomfortable sensations. Objectively, the skin looks pale, it feels cold to the touch. One of the salient features is sores, which appear relatively quickly in new areas. Affected areas can be surrounded by red and swollen tissues.

Pathological education can reach the bone or muscle and then develop phlegmon.

In severe cases, tissue necrosis occurs, which quickly spreads to healthy areas. In the absence of proper treatment in such cases, the patient faces amputation and even death.

Macroangiopathy . At first, there are no symptoms. Further development of the disease leads to a feeling of discomfort in the legs, first only after sleep in the morning, then after physical exertion, and later - in a calm state. With this pathology, the legs are also cold to the touch. Further, pain in the legs and cramps, edema and necrotic formations are added. In addition, with macroangiopathy, general weakness, elevated temperature.

It is important to note that the ANC clinic depends on the age of the patient, his general condition, and the stage of the pathological process. To date, there are four stages of NK angiopathy, for each of which there are certain symptoms.

Clinical stages of NK angiopathy

  • I stage - distinct signs of ANC are not determined, although sometimes patients complain about minor discomfort in the legs, especially in the morning after sleep.
  • II stage - during a long walk there is pain in the legs, often followed by a weight or weakness. Thus the person at walking that stops (that the pain has passed), again goes also a similar sign of an angiopathy is called "an alternating lameness".
  • III stage - the above symptoms are determined not only with prolonged walking, but also in a calm state. In severe cases, pain is disturbed even during lying, and then the patient has to change the position of the legs in order to somehow improve the condition.
  • IV stage - ulcers and necrosis of tissues begin to form, which, in the absence of treatment, leads to the fifth stage.
  • V stage - the toes die first, then the soft tissues of the lower leg, the hips and after the patient die from the infection of the blood.

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Diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease, as it contributes to the disruption of the activity of various organs and systems of the body. If the disease progresses, then gradually defeat all the vessels of the NC. Basal membranes of the vascular walls become dense, sediments are formed inside, which lead to a decrease in lumen.

In addition to the lower extremities, diabetic angiopathy affects the organs of vision and the urinary system.

Diabetic foot is a characteristic sign of angiopathy of NK in diabetes. With this pathology there is a gradual atrophy of the foot tissues due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. In addition, with this form of the disease, pulsation of large arteries is determined, since blood flows through them to small capillaries, but due to their defeat, there is an inadequate blood supply to the tissues.

The diabetic ANC has the following characteristics:

  • violation of the structure of the vascular walls;
  • deterioration of thrombostatic properties of blood;
  • slow circulation of blood.

Against the backdrop of such changes, the most favorable conditions are created for the formation of thrombi, which are often microthrombi, but nevertheless they do not allow blood to circulate normally.

Atherosclerotic angiopathy of lower extremities

In atherosclerosis, the vessels, including the lower extremities, are mostly affected. Specific symptomatology for this pathology is absent, since different vessels can be affected, and with it the clinic changes.

Atherosclerosis is associated with the formation of plaques, which to a greater or lesser extent prevent normal blood flow through the affected vessels. Spasmodic vasoconstriction is the next stage in the development of atherosclerosis, in which the vessels contract and blood ceases to flow to the tissues in the right amount.

Atherosclerotic ANC has the following characteristic features:

  • the formation of plaques within the vessels, which may have a different composition and magnitude;
  • stenosis of arteries and arterioles;
  • more or less closure of the lumen of the vessel;
  • thrombus formation followed by embolism.

As in the case of diabetic angiopathy, atherosclerotic ANC also gradually leads to tissue atrophy with subsequent necroticization.

Diagnostics

First of all, the doctor performs a general examination of the patient, during which the condition of the skin is assessed, pulsation on the legs, and the presence of concomitant diseases is determined. After that, laboratory studies are made on the type of biochemical blood test, which allows you to know the level of platelets, fibrinogen, glucose, creatinine and urea. It may also require a bacterioscopy if there are purulent discharge from ulcers.

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In addition, the following instrumental studies are being done:

  • Electrocardiography (in a calm state and after physical exertion)
  • Radiography of the lower extremities using at least two projections
  • Angiography together with contrast medium
  • Computer Capillarography
  • Laser flowmetry
  • Polarography, which determines the level of oxygen in the vessels of the legs
  • Doppler study with spectral analysis

Diagnosis is carried out in several stages. First, the main procedures are prescribed before the start of medication, after which the information is supplemented with data from additional methods performed during conservative therapy.

Treatment

The endocrinologist, angiosurgeon, phlebologist deals with the treatment of patients with angiopathy of the lower extremities. In the process of selecting therapeutic tactics, the main disease that contributes to the development of the ANC is necessarily taken into account. In particular, the following medicamental exposure strategies can be applied:

  • Reducing the concentration of glucose in the blood
  • Reducing the amount of cholesterol in the blood
  • Maintaining within the acceptable limits of blood pressure

Angiopathy of the lower extremities requires a long and persistent treatment, during which the medical recommendations are mandatory.

Medication

With diabetic ANC, the type of disease is determined and, if necessary, insulin replacement therapy is prescribed. Also, drugs that strengthen the vascular wall and, necessarily, diet food are prescribed.

Of modern methods of treating angiopathy, lymphomodulation is often used. This promising method of therapy can significantly improve blood circulation, as well as eliminate lymphostasis. As a result, swelling is carried out, metabolism in tissues is optimized, which allows them to be more actively released from metabolic products.

The funds most often used for ANC:

  • Improving microcirculation (xanthinol, pentoxifylline)
  • Influencing vascular permeability (parmidin, lipoic acid)
  • Thrombolytics that help to dilute blood (aspirin, cardiomagnesium, dipyridamole)
  • Improving the trophism of tissues (ATP, cocarboxylase)
  • Vitamin complexes, including group B, nicotinic and ascorbic acid.

Improve the patient's condition allows physiotherapy, mud therapy, plasmapheresis and electrostimulation. Similar procedures are successfully carried out at the sanatorium-and-spa treatment.

Surgery

Most often, the reconstruction of damaged vessels and soft tissue plastic. Also, techniques are being developed for prosthetics of the amputated limb.

Prevention

When a person is found to suffer from angiopathy of the lower extremities, it is important to regulate blood pressure, glucose in the blood or cholesterol. Therefore, for the prevention of ANC, a number of recommendations must be implemented:

  • Limit the use of foods high in sugar and carbohydrates. Instead, a diet with a moderate amount of fat and a high protein content is recommended.
  • It is necessary to take vitamin supplements and drugs to improve nerve conduction and blood flow.
  • To improve blood circulation, moderate exercise should be performed. Care should be taken to ensure that charging does not lead to fatigue, as this can cause cardiac arrest or stroke.
  • It is necessary to regularly check health, in particular, it is required to determine the level of glucose and cholesterol in the blood.
  • Regular examination with an ophthalmologist to prevent damage to the retina.
  • Proper care of the feet is necessary. In particular, cuts and wounds should be avoided, as they are difficult to heal and can easily become infected.
  • Maintaining blood pressure within acceptable limits is important in the prevention of ANC.

Forecast

Angiopathy is difficult to treat, but nevertheless, when providing timely medical assistance, there is a chance of improving health.

The most favorable prognosis in determining the disease in the early stages of development, when there are still no visible skin changes, much less necrosis of tissues.

An unfavorable prognostic conclusion is given by amputation of a part of the limb due to developed gangrene. In such cases, the case can even reach a lethal outcome, so it is extremely important not to miss the point of timely conservative treatment.

If the amputation has been carried out, then the patient must learn to adapt to the new conditions of life. Long-term rehabilitation is required before the mental state of a person who has lost part or all of the lower limb is stabilized.Nevertheless, if there is no danger to life, then a more or less comfortable way of life and full-fledged living can be established.

Video: Diabetic angiopathy of the lower extremities. Her symptoms, treatment and complications


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One response to “Angiopathy of the lower extremities”

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