[Vascular diagnostics in peripheral arteries].

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the most frequent cause for reduced perfusion in peripheral arteries. Patients with PAD have often manifestations of atherosclerosis in other vascular territories. Typical symptoms are intermittent claudication or rest pain and acral lesions in patients with critical limb ischemia. The majority of PAD patients are clinically asymptomatic; therefore, it makes sense to screen for PAD in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. The ankle brachial index (ABI) is regarded as an easy and cost-effective method for baseline diagnostics. If ABI measurement confirms the suspected PAD, a detailed diagnostic pathway should follow in which duplex sonography plays a central role. In some cases, additional radiologic imaging preferably by magnet resonance imaging is necessary to complete the diagnostic workup or to plan therapeutic procedures.