Arterial leg ulceration

Arterial ulceration is caused by reduced blood supply to the lower limb.

• it is the second most common ulcer in the lower extremity and accounts for about 10% all leg ulcers
• both sexes are equally affected (1)

Arterial or arteriolar obstruction leads to ischemia of the skin and subcutaneous tissues which may result in formation of ulcers (2).

• such impairment may occur acutely (e.g. trauma, thrombosis) or chronically (e.g. - atherosclerosis) and both may lead to ulceration
• peripheral vascular disease due to atherosclerosis is the most common cause of arterial ulceration
  • it is commonly seen in men older than 45 and women older than 55
  • some patients may have a family history of premature atherosclerotic disease
• other causes (some of which may predispose to the formation of atheroma) include: diabetes with microvascular or macrovascular disease, vasculitis, pyoderma gangrenosum, thalassaemia, and sickle cell disease (1,2)

Reference:

1. Grey JE, Harding KG, Enoch S. Venous and arterial leg ulcers. BMJ. 2006;332(7537):347-50.
2. Agale SV. Chronic Leg Ulcers: Epidemiology, Aetiopathogenesis, and Management. Ulcers 2013;vol. 2013, Article ID 413604, 9 pages
3. Hopf HW et al. Guidelines for the treatment of arterial insufficiency ulcers. Wound Rep Reg 2006; 14: 693-710