Apparent arterial obstruction in the superficial femoral artery Diagnostic Analysis
With the clinical picture of classic intermittent claudication, the noninvasive Doppler and plethysmographic arterial vascular study merely documented the presence and location of the arterial occlusion in the proximal femoral artery. Most vascular surgeons prefer arteriography to document the location of the vascular occlusion. The patient underwent a bypass from the proximal femoral artery to the popliteal artery. After surgery he was asymptomatic.
Critical Thinking Questions:
1. What was the cause of this patient's pain and cramping?
2. Why was there decreased hair on the patient's right leg?
3. What would be the strategic physical assessments after surgery to determine the adequacy of the patient's circulation?
4. What would be the treatment of intermittent Claudication for non-occlusion?