UAB Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy Associate Professor and Vascular Surgery Program Director Benjamin Pearce, M.D., was recently featured on UAB’s MedCast Podcast to discuss peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and its potential treatment strategies.

In the podcast, Pearce discussed strategies to treat PAD and explained how the diagnosis is strongly related to diabetes and other systemic health issues.

About Peripheral Arterial Disease

PAD is a progressive obstructive disease of the limb arteries, which can cause pain in the limbs with ambulation and increase the chance of wounds.

In the episode, Pearce elaborated on how PAD treatment has changed in the past 15 years and how physicians have gained a better knowledge of the non-surgical management of this disease, including the importance of a healthy diet, quitting smoking, exercising, and lipid-lowering medications.

An advocate for incorporating small, sustainable steps, Pearce motivates patients to incorporate walking into their daily routines by going one mailbox further in their neighborhood each day. He also notes that this strategy can have additional cardiovascular benefits.

In addition to these lifestyle and medication changes, Pearce adds that emerging pharmacotherapy has significantly impacted the field, improving the patency of interventions in the extremities.

Treatment at UAB

UAB provides top-tier quality care for patients with PAD through advanced, collaborative care. Treatment plans for patients with PAD include a team of podiatrists, nurse practitioners, nurse coordinators, and vascular surgeons who work together to meet each individual’s specific healthcare needs.

From a care perspective, Pearce reiterates that providers should perform ankle-brachial index measurements and always identify whether lower limb pain is partially or entirely caused by insufficient blood flow to the legs.

To listen to the full episode, visit the UAB MedCast website.