Selected Practice Points

• Usually, patients with PAD do not need a test or revascularization procedure
• Do not suggest a test that will not change a patient's clinical course.

 

Good Indicators for testing

• Rest pain (pain in feet, especially when legs are elevated in bed)
• Tissue loss (ulcers/sores on the feet that will not heal or a toe that is blue or black and may hurt)
• Severe claudication (leg pain while walking severe enough to limit lifestyle or work)

 

Bad Indicators for testing (can lead to over-testing)

• Mild claudication (leg pain with exercise that stops when at rest)
• Leg cramps
• Raynaud's Phenomenon
• Digital cyanosis
• Absent peripheral pulses
• Family history with no symptoms

 

Adapted from Choosing Wisely NL Practice Points Volume 3 (2018)

 

 

Content on this page has not been checked for accuracy. The author's credentials have not been confirmed. Always use multiple peer-reviewed scholarly sources and good clinical judgement in your decision making.

The Compendium platform was created by David Kwinter, MD, CCFP(EM).

Dr. Kwinter is a Cayman Family Doctor. He runs a Family Medicine Clinic at Cayman Medical in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.