Peripheral vascular system explained

The peripheral vascular system is the part of the circulatory system that consists of the veins and arteries not in the chest or abdomen (i.e. in the arms, hands, legs and feet).^{[1] [2]} The peripheral arteries supply oxygenated blood to the body, and the peripheral veins lead deoxygenated blood from the capillaries in the extremities back to the heart.^[3]

Peripheral veins are the most common intravenous access method in both hospitals and paramedic services for a peripheral intravenous (IV) line for intravenous therapy.^{[4] [5] [6]}

In some cases blockages in the peripheral arteries may be treated with catheterization and balloon dilatation instead of surgery.^{[7] [8]}

See also

• Atherosclerosis
• Peripheral artery disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Stenosis
• Systemic circulation
• Thrombosis

Notes and References

1. Web site: What Is Peripheral Vascular Disease?. American Heart Association (heart.org). 26 February 2015. 2012. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150412121230/http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/%40wcm/%40hcm/documents/downloadable/ucm_300323.pdf. April 12, 2015. mdy-all. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing of the arteries to the legs, stomach, arms and head..
2. Web site: Overview of Peripheral Arterial Disease - Heart and Blood Vessel Disorders . Merck Manuals Consumer Version . 30 April 2019 . en-CA . Disorders of arteries that supply the brain with blood are considered separately as cerebrovascular disease. Disorders that reduce blood flow of arteries in the abdomen are considered separately as abdominal aortic branch occlusion..
3. Hochauf . Sandra . Sternitzky . Reinhardt . Schellong . Sebastian M. . Struktur und Funktion des venösen Systems . Herz . Springer Nature . 32 . 1 . 2007 . 0340-9937 . 17323029 . 10.1007/s00059-007-2951-x . 3–9 . de.
4. Book: Malenfant, Jason . Bubb . Kathleen . Wade . Alena . Tubbs . R. Shane . Loukas . Marios . Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices . Vascular Anatomy of Central and Peripheral Veins . Springer Milan . Milano . 2012 . 978-88-470-2372-7 . 10.1007/978-88-470-2373-4_2 . 11–17.
5. Web site: peripheral venous catheter . National Cancer Institute . 2019-05-02.
6. Lamperti . M. . Pittiruti . M. . II. Difficult peripheral veins: turn on the lights . BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia . 110 . 6 . 2013-06-01 . 0007-0912 . 10.1093/bja/aet078 . 23687310 . 888–891 . 2019-05-02. free .
7. Lee . G . Ikeda . R M . Joye . J A . Bogren . H G . DeMaria . A N . Mason . D T . Evaluation of transluminal angioplasty of chronic coronary artery stenosis. Value and limitations assessed in fresh human cadaver hearts. . Circulation . Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) . 61 . 1 . 1980 . 0009-7322 . 10.1161/01.cir.61.1.77 . 7349945 . 77–83. free .
8. Krajcer . Z . Howell . MH . Update on Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Vascular Disease: New Tools, Techniques, and Indications . Texas Heart Institute Journal . 27 . 4 . 2000 . 11198311 . 101107 . 369–385.