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PAD VS Venous Disorders

I. Cardiovascular System Overview

A. Arteries vs. Veins

  • Arteries:

    • Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart.

    • Thick, muscular walls to withstand high pressure.

    • Have a pulse.

    • Blood flow is high pressure.

    • Example: Aorta, Coronary Arteries.

  • Veins:

    • Carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.

    • Thin, elastic walls with low pressure.

    • No pulse; blood moves via muscle contraction.

    • Example: Vena Cava, Jugular Veins.

II. Conditions Affecting Blood Flow

A. Arterial Disorders

  • Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD):

    • Cause: Atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup).

    • Symptoms:

      • Pain/cramping in legs/feet.

      • Cold extremities.

      • Skin discoloration.

      • Hair loss on legs.

      • Decreased perfusion.

  • Aneurysm:

    • Weakened blood vessel wall leading to bulging.

    • Risk: Rupture leads to life-threatening bleeding.

B. Venous Disorders

  • Chronic Venous Insufficiency:

    • Blood does not drain properly from legs to heart.

    • Causes: Obesity, prolonged sitting/standing, pregnancy, DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

    • Symptoms:

      • Swelling, edema.

      • Varicose veins.

      • Itching, tingling.

      • Blood pooling, coagulation risk.

  • Raynaud’s Syndrome:

    • Arteriovasospasm → color change of fingers due to lack of blood flow.

    • Symptoms: Pain, cold, numbness.

III. Abdominal Assessment

A. Steps of Abdominal Exam (Correct Order)

  1. Inspect

  2. Auscultate

  3. Percuss

  4. Palpate (Last to avoid disturbing bowel sounds)

B. Quadrants & Associated Conditions

  • Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): Appendicitis (McBurney’s Point pain).

  • Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): Splenomegaly (Enlarged spleen).

  • Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): Diverticulitis (Colon pouches → constipation).

  • Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ):

    • Hepatitis → Liver inflammation.

    • Cholecystitis → Gallbladder inflammation.

    • Peptic Ulcer → Stomach ulcer (stores bile).

C. Ascites & Diagnostic Tests

  • Ascites: Excess fluid in abdominal cavity.

  • Diagnostic Tests:

    • Physical exam.

    • Ultrasound, MRI, CT scan.

    • Paracentesis → Needle inserted into abdomen to remove fluid.

D. Modified Allen Test

  • Purpose: Checks collateral circulation before drawing blood from the radial artery.

  • Procedure:

    • Occlude both radial & ulnar arteries → hand turns pale.

    • Release ulnar artery → Hand should return to normal color in <5 sec.

    • If delayed → Indicates poor circulation.