Nonatherosclerotic claudication.

Abstract

Lower extremity claudication typically reflects the presence of significant atherosclerotic arterial obstructive disease. However, a group of nonatherosclerotic conditions may cause similar symptoms and a keen appreciation of these unusual conditions is essential for the fully trained vascular surgeon. Typical atherosclerotic risk factors may or may not be present among patients with nonatherosclerotic claudication. However, the astute vascular surgeon can diagnose these nonatherosclerotic conditions with a carefully focused history and physical examination followed by optimally selected noninvasive testing and imaging studies. Once accurately diagnosed, effective and durable treatments are generally available for this heterogeneous group of patients.