Lower Extremity Arteriosclerosis Obliterans (LEASO)

Arteriosclerosis obliterans is an occlusive arterial disease most prominently affecting the abdominal aorta and the small- and medium-sized arteries of the lower extremities, which may lead to absent dorsalis pedis, posterior tibial and popliteal artery pulses.

Cause

LEASO is common in middle-aged and elderly people, and is often associated with smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and other risk factors. The presence and severity are affected by the speed of disease progression, the number of collateral circulations and individual tolerance. Symptoms generally develop gradually from mild to severe, but acute thrombosis on the basis of arteriosclerosis obliterans can lead to sudden aggravation of symptoms.

Symptoms

At early stage there might be no obvious symptoms, or only slight discomfort, such as cold, numbness etc. After that, intermittent claudication gradually will appear, which is the characteristic symptom of LEASO. After walking for a certain distance, patients will feel fatigue and pain and has to take a rest. When the disease develops, there will be rest pain. Finally, ulcers and gangrene can occur in the limbs.