Which sign may indicate reduced arterial perfusion to a limb in PAD?

Which sign may indicate reduced arterial perfusion to a limb in PAD?

• A. Prolonged capillary refill time
• B. Increased hair growth on toes
• C. Bilateral warmth of feet
• D. Unilaterally cool extremity

Answer: (D)

In PAD, reduced arterial inflow to a limb causes local ischemia, so the affected limb often feels cooler than the opposite side. The unilateral cool extremity directly points to a localized drop in arterial perfusion, which is what PAD causes in the limb. Prolonged capillary refill time can happen with various conditions and isn’t as specific to PAD, and it isn’t as clearly localized to one limb. Bilateral warmth suggests good perfusion in both legs, not PAD. Increased hair growth on the toes isn’t typical of arterial insufficiency; PAD more often leads to thinning or loss of hair due to reduced blood flow. So the sign most reflective of reduced arterial perfusion to a limb is a cooler, unilateral extremity.

In PAD, reduced arterial inflow to a limb causes local ischemia, so the affected limb often feels cooler than the opposite side. The unilateral cool extremity directly points to a localized drop in arterial perfusion, which is what PAD causes in the limb. Prolonged capillary refill time can happen with various conditions and isn’t as specific to PAD, and it isn’t as clearly localized to one limb. Bilateral warmth suggests good perfusion in both legs, not PAD. Increased hair growth on the toes isn’t typical of arterial insufficiency; PAD more often leads to thinning or loss of hair due to reduced blood flow. So the sign most reflective of reduced arterial perfusion to a limb is a cooler, unilateral extremity.