Peripheral Arterial Obliterating Disease

Abstract

Peripheral arteriosclerosis obliterans (PAO) is a multifactorial inflammatory disease of the medium and large vessel walls, characterized by the presence of atheromas (localized deposits of lipids, carbohydrates, blood components, fibrous tissue, and calcium) in the arterial wall, which, course with the narrowing of the arterial lumen. With the blood flow to the affected limb, there is reduced blood supply to the blood to the tissues and, consequently, less oxygen and nutrients. It is considered the leading cause of mortality in industrialized countries [1].