title: Peripheral vascular disease: treatment and referral of the elderly. Part I.
abstract: In the elderly, arterial disease may not necessarily require operative intervention if the patient is not functionally disabled or can adjust to self-imposed limitations. However, with nonhealing skin lesions, gangrene, impending limb loss, or ischemic rest pain, reconstructive arterial surgery must be considered. Pain at rest signals advanced limb-threatening ischemia. The pattern of pain distribution over the foot distinguishes it from common nighttime leg cramps.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination; D011312:Pressure; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*