Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Division of Vascular Surgery

Contact Us New & Existing Patients If you'd like to schedule an appointment, call us at 585-341-7030. Referring Physicians To refer a patient for a consultation, call us at 585-341-7030.

Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

What is an Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease?

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is the narrowing or blockage of the main
arteries to the lower half of the body. It is caused by arteriosclerosis (or "hardening of the arteries") that occurs when fatty plaque builds up inside artery walls. This build up causes the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow to the lower half of the body.

Risk factors for aortoiliac occlusive disease include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking

The primary symptoms are:

• Pain, cramping, or tiredness that occurs while walking or exercise, but not while at rest
  
  
• Some men with aortoiliac occlusive disease experience erectile
  dysfunction

• Pulse tests (using a stethoscope to listen for a reduced or absent pulse throughout the legs)
• Blood pressure testing in the leg (instead of the arm)
• Duplex ultrasound
• Arteriography

Treatment Options

If the disease is mild or moderate, a physician may prescribe the following:

• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Follow a physician-approved walking program
• Eat a low-fat and high-fiber diet
• Stop smoking (and all forms of tobacco use)
• Receive regular foot care from a healthcare professional (to reduce the risk of foot ulcers)
• Medication to improve blood flow in the lower extremities

If the disease is severe, treatments may include:

• Angioplasty and stenting
• Bypass surgery (to replace or bypass blocked arteries with a segment of synthetic blood vessel)