Acute arterial insufficiency is a health condition where the tissues could not get sufficient oxygen along with essential nutrients brought about by poor arterial blood supply.
What are the causes?
Most cases of acute arterial insufficiency are triggered by atherosclerosis which is a condition where the arteries are clogged by cholesterol plaques. This results to diminished flow of blood to the affected blood vessels and can also result to a higher risk for the development of blood clots due to the instability generated by these plaques.
What are the forms of acute arterial insufficiency?
The development of blood clots can result to 2 things – full obstruction to the flow of blood in the artery and breaking off of a part of a blood clot that can block a smaller-sized artery and result to a clog.
An acute myocardial infarction is an instance of acute arterial insufficiency triggered by an embolus. The condition can also affect the small-sized arteries in the limbs which is called as peripheral arterial occlusive disease.
What are the indications?
Acute arterial insufficiency involves erratic claudication defined as muscle pain triggered by lengthy use of the involved body part. Many individuals with acute arterial insufficiency involving the lower extremities can suffer from this after walking.
Who are at risk?
Individuals with diabetes are likely to end up with acute arterial insufficiency. It is important to note that individuals diagnosed with diabetes suffer from various metabolic conditions such as with the metabolism of fats and fatty acid, thus increasing the risk for atherosclerosis. In addition, they are also susceptible to develop diseases of the small vessels and nerves that makes them prone to ischemia.
Those who have hypertension are also at risk since the elevated blood pressure within the blood vessels results to turbulent flow of blood that results to thrombus formation. A sedentary lifestyle, smoking and a high-fat diet are also risk factors that adds up to the development of acute arterial insufficiency.
Management
The treatment for acute arterial insufficiency involves drugs to reduce the risk for thrombus formation. These medications might include aspirin, heparin or platelet inhibitors.
The non-medical treatment involves moderate exercise such as walking. This is vital in slowing down the progression of the disease. As for severe cases of occlusion, surgical treatment is an option.