Smokers are vulnerable to ‘leg attack’

Acute leg pain and burning sensation in the toes may not be a symptom of tiredness. Instead, it may be the sign of ‘leg attack’ or ‘peripheral arterial disease (PAD)’.

Jain Institute of Vascular Surgery (JIVAS)  on Tuesday conducted live minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of PAD under the guidance of Dr Med Dai Do Do, director of peripheral vascular interventions and deputy head, clinical and interventional angiology, University of Berne, Switzerland.

PAD occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to head, organs and limbs. “Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. When plaque builds up in arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to various parts of your body,” said Dr Kalkunte R Suresh, president, Vascular Society of India and director, JIVAS.

PAD, also known as lower limb ischaemia, usually affects legs, but it also can affect the arteries that carry blood from heart to your head, arms, kidneys, and stomach, he added.

Diabetic patients are prone to this disease. If not diagnosed at the right time, it may lead to amputation of the leg. Smokers and those aged above 50 are also at the risk of developing vascular diseases.

“We conducted a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of leg attack involving balloon angioplasty followed by stenting procedure. Although the disease has been diagnosed and treated for a long time now, there are only 17 to 20 doctors in the city practising the latest methods to treat PAD. It is crucial that there is increased awareness among public and medical professionals about the vascular disease and the role played by vascular surgeons,” said Do Do.