Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease
PELVIC & LEG ARTERY DISEASE
Aortoiliac occlusive disease happens when narrowed or blocked arteries in the lower abdomen or pelvis reduce blood flow to the hips, buttocks, legs, or feet. Symptoms may include walking-related pain, leg fatigue, coldness, numbness, or wounds that heal poorly.
- Blockage in pelvic or leg arteries
- Can cause hip, buttock, or leg pain
- May affect walking and wound healing
- Imaging guides treatment planning
Evaluation & Next Steps
- Clear severity assessment and next steps
- Supportive care and recovery guidance
- Care across 4 Las Vegas locations
Call: (702) 703-4340
Hours: Mon–Fri: 8am–5pm
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Quick Summary
Key Takeaway: Aortoiliac occlusive disease can reduce blood flow from the abdomen into the legs and may cause walking pain, leg weakness, coldness, or wound-healing problems.
Evaluation focuses on where the blockage is located, how much it limits blood flow, and whether symptoms are affecting walking, daily activity, skin health, or limb safety. Imaging and vascular testing help guide monitoring, risk reduction, and treatment planning.
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Overview
What is Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease?
Aortoiliac occlusive disease is narrowing or blockage in the lower aorta or iliac arteries, which are the major vessels that carry blood from the abdomen into the pelvis and legs.
Why Evaluation Matters
Reduced blood flow can limit walking, delay wound healing, and increase the risk of more serious limb problems. Evaluation helps determine whether symptoms can be managed with medical care and monitoring or whether vascular treatment should be considered.
Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the narrowing is located, how severe the blockage is, and how much blood flow reaches the legs and feet.
Hip, Buttock, or Thigh Pain
Pain, cramping, or fatigue may occur with walking and improve with rest.
Leg Weakness or Fatigue
Reduced blood flow can make the legs feel heavy, weak, or tired during activity.
Coldness or Numbness
The lower leg or foot may feel cold, numb, or different compared with the other side.
Skin or Wound Changes
Poor circulation can contribute to slow-healing wounds, color changes, or skin breakdown.
Seek care now if…
Seek urgent medical care for sudden severe leg pain, a cold or pale foot, sudden weakness or numbness, new loss of movement, rapidly worsening wounds, blackened tissue, fever, or signs of infection.
Causes & Risk Factors
Aortoiliac occlusive disease most often develops from plaque buildup inside the arteries. Over time, narrowing can limit blood flow from the abdomen into the pelvis, legs, and feet.
Common Causes
- Atherosclerosis plaque buildup
- Iliac artery narrowing
- Lower aortic narrowing
- Progressive circulation disease
Symptoms can develop gradually as arteries narrow or may become more noticeable when walking distance decreases, wounds appear, or circulation changes affect the feet.
Risk Factors
- Smoking history
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Older age
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease history
- Prior artery disease
How Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease is Diagnosed
Diagnosis combines symptom history, pulse exam, circulation testing, and imaging to identify where blood flow is reduced and how severe the narrowing may be.
Typical Evaluation
- Review walking symptoms
- Check pulses and skin changes
- Measure circulation pressures
- Duplex ultrasound when appropriate
- CTA, MRA, or angiography review
What to Bring
- Prior vascular imaging
- Medication list
- Walking distance notes
- Wound or skin-change photos
- Smoking and medical history
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on symptom severity, blockage location, wound status, overall health, and whether blood flow can be improved with medical management, lifestyle changes, or vascular procedures.
Related care may include circulation testing, medication review, walking-focused therapy guidance, wound coordination, and vascular treatment planning when symptoms or limb-risk findings are present.
Risk Management
- Smoking cessation support
- Cholesterol and blood pressure control
- Diabetes management
- Medication review
Monitoring & Symptom Protection
- Track walking distance
- Watch skin or wound changes
- Protect feet from injury
- Follow vascular testing results
Vascular Treatment Options
- Angioplasty discussion
- Stenting consideration
- Bypass referral when needed
- Limb-salvage coordination
Follow-Up Evaluation
- Worsening walking pain
- Rest pain or night pain
- New wounds or tissue loss
- Post-treatment monitoring
Recovery & Long-Term Management
Recovery and long-term management depend on the severity of circulation loss, whether wounds are present, and whether treatment is medical, minimally invasive, or surgical.
What Helps Most
- Following vascular follow-up to monitor blood flow and symptoms
- Managing risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Tracking walking tolerance and reporting meaningful changes
- Protecting skin and feet from injury or pressure
- Taking medications as directed by the care team
When to Follow Up
- Walking pain worsens or begins sooner than before
- Leg or foot pain occurs at rest especially at night
- A wound does not heal or skin breaks down
- The foot becomes cold, pale, or numb
- Color changes or tissue loss develop
- Post-treatment symptoms return after prior improvement
Frequently Asked Questions
Aortoiliac occlusive disease is narrowing or blockage in the lower aorta or iliac arteries, which can reduce blood flow to the pelvis, legs, and feet.
Symptoms may include hip, buttock, thigh, or leg pain with walking, leg fatigue, coldness, numbness, skin changes, or wounds that heal poorly.
Diagnosis may include pulse exam, circulation pressure testing, duplex ultrasound, CTA, MRA, or angiography depending on symptoms and exam findings.
Seek urgent care for sudden severe leg pain, a cold or pale foot, sudden numbness or weakness, blackened tissue, fever, or rapidly worsening wounds.
Some patients are managed with risk-factor control, medications, walking-focused therapy guidance, and monitoring. More severe narrowing may require vascular treatment planning.
Treatment may include medical management, angioplasty, stenting, bypass referral, wound coordination, or limb-salvage planning depending on blockage location and severity.
Locations
LVVIS offers vein evaluation and treatment planning at multiple Las Vegas locations. Choose the office that is most convenient when scheduling your visit.
LVVIS West Side Consultation Office
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Consultations and vascular evaluations
LV2 Limb & Vascular Division
8930 W Sunset Rd, Suite 350
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Limb preservation and podiatry partnership care
LVVIS East Procedure Office
2250 E Flamingo Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89119
Procedures, diagnostics, and circulatory care
LVVIS West Side Surgical Center
6120 S Fort Apache Rd, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89148
Advanced vascular and interventional procedures