Ayurvedic Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): A Case Report

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a progressive atherosclerotic condition that leads to compromised perfusion of the lower extremities and significant morbidity. This case study reports a 54-year-old male with hypertension and a history of coronary angioplasty who presented with pain, numbness, stiffness, and burning sensation in the right lower limb, along with claudication. CT angiography revealed distal popliteal artery thrombosis with non-opacification of major distal arteries. Symptoms persisted even after angioplasty. The clinical features correlated with Uthana Vatarakta as per Ayurvedic principles. The patient was treated for 22 days with Dasamoola Kṣeeradhara and Udvarthanam, along with internal medications including Punarnavadi Kaṣhaya, Manjiṣhtadi Kaṣhaya, Śatāvarī Chinnaruhādi Kaṣāya, Madhuyashtyadi Taila, and Rasasindūra. Subsequently, the patient was advised a 14-day discharge regimen. The patient demonstrated marked improvement in pain, stiffness, burning sensation, and numbness, as observed through reduced VAS scores. Clinically, the previously absent peripheral pulses showed improvement, and claudication pain completely resolved within 22 days. The integrative Ayurvedic approach demonstrated promising symptomatic and functional improvement in this patient with PAD. The observed clinical recovery suggests the potential effectiveness of Ayurvedic management in the conditions comparable to Uthana Vatarakta.