Peripheral Vascular Disease

Abstract

Despite major advances in vascular diagnostic technology, the physical examination remains the primary measure for assessing patients with peripheral vascular disease. Its primary objectives are to reach a tentative diagnosis and to select the optimal diagnostic plan. The standard vascular examination is stuctured and has two parts: the medical history and physical evaluations both consisting of a detailed assessment of the vascular and dependent organ function as follows:

• I. Medical history

  • Chief complaints and current symptoms

  • Present illness

  • Past medical history

  • Current medications

  • Vascular risk

  • Vascular diseases

  • Psychosocial history

  • Allergies

  • Other (review of systems results of previous examinations)