Claudication

Claudication pathophysiology
Claudication is pain caused by too little blood flow, usually during exercise. It is a pain in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles. Pain and cramping in the legs is the main symptom of claudication. This pain or cramping is caused by poor circulation due to blockage of the arteries of the lower extremity. Claudication may occur in one or both legs, depending on where the blockage occurs. The pain is brought on by walking or exercise and disappears with rest. Claudication can range from being a mild nuisance to a disabling limitation. Claudication is caused by atherosclerosis in the lower extremities is known as peripheral arterial disease. Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries over time through the build up of fatty deposits, called plaque, along the artery walls. Risk factors of Claudication are: Age, Smoking, Diabetes, Obesity, Sedentary lifestyle, High cholesterol, High blood pressure etc.

Claudication Statistics
In 2010, 202 million people around the world were living with PAD. Europe and North America, an estimated 27 million individuals are affected with approximately 413,000 inpatient admissions annually attributed to PAD. The majority of individuals with PAD (70 percent) live in low/middle income regions of the world, including 55 million individuals in southeast Asia and 46 million in the western pacific region. The number of individuals with PAD increased by 29 percent in low/middle income regions and 13 percent in high income regions from 2000 to 2010 compared with the preceding decade.

Claudication Treatment
Treatment of Claudication includes reducing the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis which includes: Smoking cessation, Walking, usually 30 minutes a day, Medication and lifestyle changes aimed at reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and blood-sugar levels, Medication, such as aspirin, to prevent heart attack and stroke, Medication to improve walking distance, such as cilostazol, Diet low in saturated fats.  Along with this treatment for Claudication includes Endovascular treatments and Surgical treatments in which Endovascular treatments consists of Angioplasty, Stents, Laser atherectomy, Directional atherectomy.

Claudication ongoing research
Some ongoing research studies on Claudication disease are Angioplasty versus stenting for iliac artery lesions, Surgical intervention for peripheral arterial disease, Perioperative clinical variables and long-term survival following vascular surgery.