Basic Facts:
Aoroiliac occlusive disease is the narrowing or blockage of the main arteries in the pelvis, which supply blood to the legs. it is a type of peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, which affects arteries that carry blood away from the heart to the head, torso, arms and legs.
Aortoiliac disease can prevent blood from reaching parts of the buttocks, groin, legs and feet. A lack of blood can cause discomfort or weakness in the hips or legs while walking, sores on the legs, feet and toes, known as ulcers and even gangrene.
The most common symptom of aortoiliac disease is a discomfort in the legs during activity, called intermittent claudication.
Male patients with aortoiliac disease often experience erectile dysfunction.
Aortoiliac disease, also called aortoiliac occlusive disease, refers to disorders of the two major blood vessels that feed the lower half of the body, the aorta and the iliac artery.
Aortoiliac disease occurs in one or more of the following locations:
- The lower abdominal aorta;
- The iliac arteries; or
- The point where the aorta divides and becomes the iliac arteries.
Impaired circulation in these arteries can result in disorders of the pelvic organs, legs or the kidneys, which causes a condition called renal artery disease. Additionally, aortoiliac disease can result in an aortic abdominal aneurysm (AAA), a dangerous health condition.
Causes and Risk Factors
The primary cause of aortoiliac disease is atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
- Smoking;
- High blood pressure or hypertension;
- Obesity;
- High cholesterol or hyperlipidemia; and
- A family history of cardiovascular disease.
What are the symptoms?
The primary symptoms or aortoiliac disease are pain, cramping or tiredness (called intermittent claudication), which occurs when a person walks or exercises. Male patients with aoroiliac disease also often experience erectile dysfunction.
Eventually, severe symptoms can occur in the lower extremities, including:
- Severe pain, coldness and numbness in a limb;
- Sores on the toes, heels or lower leg (called ulcers);
- Muscle atrophy (wasting); and
- Gangrene (tissue death).
Symptoms of renal artery disease include:
- Hyptertension;
- Symptoms of kidney failure; and
- An abnormal sound or murmur, called a bruit.
Most people with AAA do not feel any symptoms. Others, however, may experience symptoms including:
- A rhythmic, pulsating feeling in the abdomen, similar to a heartheat;
- Deep pain in the abdomen or lower back; and
- Severe, sudden abdominal or back pain, which may indicate imminent rupture.
Patients with a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, which requires immediate emergency medical attention, usually feel sudden intense weakness, dizziness or pain, and may lose consciousness.
Diagnosis
The physician will perform tests to diagnose aortoiliac disease, including:
- Pulse tests;
- Blood pressure testing;
- Duplex ultrasound; and
- Angiography.
