Objectives This thesis aimed to explore psychological factors associated with walking behaviour in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease, within the framework of Leventhal et al’s (1998) Common-sense Model of Self-regulation of Health and Illness. The objective was to identify psychological factors which could be modified to increase walking behaviour in these patients. Method A series of three studies were conducted to achieve these aims. The first study was an exploratory qualitative study, to explore the illness and treatment beliefs and walking behaviour of patients with intermittent claudication. The second study was a cross-sectional postal questionnaire to a cohort of patients with intermittent claudication, which tested the influence of the psychological factors identified in the qualitative study, in a larger sample. The final study was a randomised controlled trial of a brief psychological intervention designed to modify the illness and walking beliefs of patients with intermittent claudication, in order to increase walking behaviour. Results Beliefs about intermittent claudication, and beliefs about walking were both found to be associated with walking behaviour in the qualitative study. The results from the cross-sectional postal questionnaire confirmed this relationship – taken as a set, illness and walking beliefs accurately predicted adherence to minimum walking levels for 93.4% of the sample. The brief psychological intervention successfully modified illness and treatment beliefs and increased walking behaviour in patients newly diagnosed with intermittent claudication. Conclusion This thesis highlights the importance of illness and walking beliefs to the walking behaviour of patients with intermittent claudication. The thesis has added to the body of knowledge about intermittent claudication, and the findings of this thesis have implications for the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication within the health service. Theoretical and clinical implications of this research are discussed.

This study investigates the clinical and major risk factor profiles in Whites, Indians and Blacks with atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease at the Vascular Service in Durban; and compares them to that for coronary artery disease in the same race groups. The clinical profile for chronic peripheral vascular disease was established in a retrospective study of 2175 patients seen at the Vascular Service during 1981-1986. Atherosclerosis was confirmed in 1974 patients (92,3%) on the basis of clinical, doppler, angiographic and histological evidence. The disease predominantly affected the aorta and distal peripheral vessels. Extracranial cerebrovascular disease occurred less commonly in Blacks than in Whites and Indians. Occlusive disease was the most common pathological type in all race groups. Aneurysmal disease occurred mainly in the aorta with peripheral aneurysms being most common in Blacks. The disease manifested in Blacks at an . earlier age and more aggressively than in Whites and Indians. The risk factor profile for atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease was established in a prospective study of 302 male patients consisting of 100 Whites, 97 Indians and 105 Blacks on the basis of historical, clinical and haematological data. The sample was randomly selected, and not strictly representative of the clinical pattern in the retrospective study. All patients were confirmed to have atherosclerosis on the basis of the previously mentioned criteria. Smoking was the single most common risk factor in all race groups. Hypertension occurred more commonly in Whites and Indians than in Blacks, while diabetes was commonest in Indians. Insulin resistance did not occur in Blacks, but was possibly present in Whites and Indians. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were raised in Whites and Indians, but not in Blacks. HDL cholesterol was reduced in all 3 race groups. These findings suggest that contrary to the established view, atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease is an established entity in Blacks seen at the Vascular Service in Durban without a concomitant increase in coronary and extracranial cerebrovascular disease. In Whites and Indians atherosclerosis occurred in all of the vascular beds. This could support the contention that in a socially developing society atherosclerosis affects the aorta and distal peripheral vessels before the coronary vascular bed. Since this occurs in the presence of normal levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, it does not support the contention that hypercholesterolaemic states are essential for atherosclerotic lesions to develop. On this basis it is postulated that with social transition there is a differential atherosclerotic involvement of the vascular beds due to a differential vascular susceptibility. Smoking is an important socio-environmental risk factor, while at the biochemical level a reduced HDL cholesterol and not a raised total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglyceride could trigger the 'lipid pathway' in atherogenesis. It is further postulated that the differential vascular susceptibility does not exist in a fully developed society once lipid aberrations include a raised total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinaemia may play a role in the evolution of the disease within the coronary vascular bed. / Thesis (M.D.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1996.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of stenoses and occlusions of the arteries of the lower extremities. Clinically, PAD is an important effect on functional ability, and quality of life because symptomatic patients are typically able to walk less than one to three blocks before rest is required.The double product break point (DPBP), also defined as the oxygen consumption at which the first portion of nonlinear increase in rate pressure product (systolic blood pressure X heart rate) begins has been identified to determine the anaerobic threshold during exercise test. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the DPBP could be detected in patients with PAD during a symptom-limited GXT on the motor-driven treadmill. Six male subjects (68.2 ± 6.5 yrs) with history of diagnosis of PAD participated in this study. Double product (DP) was assessed every 15 seconds during the test via the Kyokko Bussan CM-4001 automated blood pressure unit. The DPBP and VT were determined visually by three blinded observers. The mean values of Peak V02 and maximal heart rate were 19.4 ± 5.8 (ml/kg/min) and 130 ± 13 (bpm), respectively. In 4 of the six exercise tests in the present study, the DPBP and the VT were determined. The mean V02 at the DPBP and the VT were 15.7 ± 2.6 ml/kg/min and 14.2 ± 0.6 ml/kg/min, corresponding to 73 ± 7.2 and 74.5 ± 5.4 % respectively. In 3 of the six exercise tests both of the DPBP and VT were determined. The Mean V02 at the DPBP and VT were 14.6 ± 1.8 and 14.3 ± 0.7, respectively. The difference of the mean VO2 at the VT and DPBP was -.0.33 ml/kg/min.In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that the DPBP can be identified and used as a useful marker to determine the functional performance in PAD patients. Walking time or distance measurement depends on the patient's perception of the pain. Thus, this study provides an objective way to appraise the functional performance and therapeutic results obtained from the exercise training in PAD patients, and provides a reference for exercise prescription for this population. / School of Physical Education

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1983.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1983.

Thesis--University of Oklahoma. / Bibliography: leaves 94-96.

INTRODUÇÃO: O termo Síndrome Metabólica denomina um conjunto de fatores de risco cardiovascular associado à resistência à insulina e a um aumento da morbidade e da mortalidade. A síndrome metabólica está relacionada a diversas doenças, especialmente aquelas ligadas à aterosclerose, como a doença arterial periférica. A claudicação intermitente é sintoma característico de um estágio inicial da doença arterial periférica, no qual o conhecimento dos seus fatores predisponentes, entre os quais a síndrome metabólica, torna-se importante para a instituição do tratamento médico adequado, a fim de prevenir ou retardar a progressão da aterosclerose. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo transversal foi determinar a prevalência da síndrome metabólica em pacientes com claudicação intermitente e sua correlação com a idade, gênero, localização da obstrução arterial e associação com doença arterial coronária sintomática. MÉTODO: Foram estudados 170 pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva dos membros inferiores de etiologia aterosclerótica cuja única manifestação clínica era dor tipo claudicação intermitente. A idade média foi de 65 anos (33-89 anos). Havia 117 homens (68.8%) com idade média de 65.6 anos (33-84 anos) e 53 mulheres (31.1%) com idade média de 63.7 anos (35-89 anos). RESULTADOS: A síndrome metabólica foi diagnosticada em 98 pacientes (57.6%), 62 homens (63.3%) e 36 mulheres (36.7%). A idade média dos pacientes com síndrome metabólica foi de 63.5 anos, contra 67.0 anos dos pacientes sem síndrome metabólica (P = .027). Considerando os doentes com 65 anos, a síndrome metabólica esteve presente em 46 (48.9%) indivíduos e em 52 (68.4%) pacientes abaixo de 65 anos (P = .011). CONCLUSÕES: A Síndrome Metabólica é uma comorbidade frequente em indivíduos com claudicação intermitente, com prevalência significativamente mais elevada em indivíduos com idade inferior a 65 anos. Não houve associação entre a Síndrome Metabólica e o sexo dos pacientes com claudicação intermitente. Não houve também relação entre a Síndrome metabólica e doença coronariana sintomática na população estudada. A Síndrome Metabólica não afetou nenhum segmento anatômico arterial preferencialmente nos claudicantes / INTRODUCTION: The metabolic syndrome consists in a group of cardiovascular risk factors referring to insulin resistance, associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Metabolic syndrome is correlated to several illnesses, especially those associated with atherosclerosis, like peripheral arterial disease. Intermittent claudication is a symptom of an early stage of peripheral arterial disease, and the precocious diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is important for adequate medical treatment, in order to prevent or delay the progression of atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this cross-sectional study is to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in patients with intermittent claudication and its correlation with age, gender, localization of arterial obstruction and association with symptomatic coronary artery disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: There were studied 170 consecutive patients with intermittent claudication, determined by physical examination, which revealed absence or weakness of pulses on the limb or limbs that were limiting deambulation, and an ankle-brachial index 0.9. The mean age was 65 years (33-89 years). There were 117 men (68.8%) with mean age of 65.6 years (33 84 years) and 53 women (31.1%) with mean age of 63.7 years (35 89 years). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 98 patients (57.6%), 62 men (63.3%) and 36 women (36.7%). The mean age of patients with metabolic syndrome was 63.5 years, against 67.0 years of patients without metabolic syndrome (P= .027). Considering patients with 65 years old, the metabolic syndrome was present in 46 (48.9%) individuals and in 52 (68.4%) patients below 65 years old (P= .011). CONCLUSIONS: The metabolic syndrome is frequent among patients with intermittent claudication, with a significant higher prevalence in claudicants < 65 years of age. The metabolic syndrome was not correlated with sex and symptomatic coronary artery disease. The metabolic syndrome did not affect any specific arterial segment in claudicant patients

INTRODUÇÃO: O diagnóstico de enfermagem Perfusão Tissular Periférica Ineficaz (PTPI) e suas características definidoras (CD) ainda não foram validados em pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica dos membros inferiores (DAOMI), por meio de testes que avaliam a capacidade funcional e a função vascular arterial. OBJETIVO: Validar algumas CD de PTPI em pacientes com DAOMI sintomática e verificar sua importância na determinação desse diagnóstico de enfermagem. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 65 pacientes com DAOMI (62,2 + 8,1 anos; 56,9% do sexo masculino; índice tornozelo-braquial - ITB = 0,59 + 0,14), nos quais a PTPI foi diagnosticada mediante a presença de claudicação intermitente e ITB < 0,90, e 17 indivíduos--controle (63,4 + 8,7 anos; 41,2% do sexo masculino; ITB = 1,14 + 0,08). Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame físico, à medida do ITB, à avaliação de sua capacidade funcional e das propriedades funcionais das artérias. O ITB foi calculado para cada membro inferior, dividindo-se a maior pressão arterial do tornozelo pela maior pressão obtida nos braços; para análise considerou-se o pior ITB. Os pacientes com PTPI secundária à DAOMI foram divididos de acordo com o grau de prejuízo da circulação periférica. A capacidade funcional foi determinada por meio do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6), registrando-se as distâncias percorridas, total e livre de dor. As propriedades funcionais das artérias foram avaliadas em termos da rigidez da parede (VOP C-F e VOP C-R), utilizando-se o Complior®, e da reatividade vascular, com a técnica de ultrassom vascular de alta resolução em condições basais, após manobra de hiperemia reativa e após administração sublingual de nitrato. A hiperemia reativa promove vasodilatação dependente do endotélio e é mediada pelo fluxo (DMF); por sua vez, o nitrato é um doador de óxido nítrico e causa vasodilatação independente do endotélio. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da CD pulsos periféricos ausentes ou filiformes foi maior nos pacientes com PTPI do que nos indivíduos-controle (> 70,0% versus 5,3%, respectivamente, p < 0,0001). Ainda, observou-se que pacientes com PTPI percorreram menores distâncias no TC6 (265,1 + 77,4 versus 354,7 + 42,1 m, p < 0,001) e apresentaram maior VOP C-F (12,2 + 4,0 versus 9,6 + 2,2 m/s, p = 0,016), menor DMF (2,7 + 4,2% versus 6,1 + 5,4%, p = 0,014) e menor dilatação pós- -nitrato (14,3 + 8,4% versus 20,6 + 10,0%, p = 0,019). Na análise individual, verificou-se que a presença das CD associou-se à redução das distâncias percorridas no TC6, total e livre de dor, ao aumento da VOP C-F e a menores DMF e dilatação pós-nitrato. Na análise conjunta, pulsos pedioso e/ou tibial posterior ausentes ou filiformes foram preditivos de: (1) menor capacidade funcional, com redução de 61 metros na distância total percorrida e 124 metros na distância livre de dor; (2) maior rigidez da parede arterial, pois aumentou em 18% a média da VOP C-F; e (3) maior prejuízo da reatividade vascular, evidenciada pela redução de 2,6% na DMF. Além disso, a alteração na amplitude de algum pulso periférico ou sopro na artéria femoral esquerda aumentou 1.024 vezes a chance de ocorrência de PTPI. Observou-se que as distâncias, total e livre de dor, percorridas no TC6, a VOP C-F e a dilatação pós-nitrato associaram-se de forma significativa com o maior prejuízo da circulação periférica, verificado pelo ITB, sendo que o aumento de 1m na distância percorrida livre de dor reduziu em 0,8% (IC 95% = 0,985 - 0,998) a chance de prejuízo grave (ou moderado e grave) da circulação periférica. Já o aumento de 1m/s na VOP C-F elevou essa chance em 23,7% (IC 95% = 1,057 - 1,448). CONCLUSÃO: A CD pulsos periféricos ausentes ou filiformes foi a mais relevante para o diagnóstico de enfermagem PTPI, pois apresentou maior prevalência, associou-se à maior limitação funcional e mostrou forte associação com alterações funcionais das artérias. / INTRODUCTION: The nursing diagnosis Ineffective Peripheral Tissue Perfusion (PTPI) and its defining characteristics (CD) have not yet been validated in patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (DAOP) in the lower limbs, through tests that evaluate functional capacity and arterial vascular function. OBJECTIVE: To validate some CD of PTPI in patients with symptomatic DAOP and verify the relevance of these characteristics in determining this nursing diagnosis. METHOD: 65 patients with DAOP were selected (62.2 + 8.1 years; 56.9% male; ankle brachial index - ABI = 0.59 + 0.14), in which PTPI was diagnosed considering the presence of intermittent claudication and ABI <0.90, and 17 control subjects (63.4 + 8.7 years; 41.2% male; ABI = 1.14 + 0.08). All participants were submitted to physical assessment, ABI measurement, evaluation of functional capacity and arteries functional properties. ABI was calculated for each leg, dividing the higher pressure of the ankle by the higher pressure of the arms, whereas the worst ABI was considered. Patients with ABI related to DAOP were split according to the impairment of peripheral circulation. Functional capacity was determined through the six-minute walk test (TC6). Total and pain free distances were recorded. Arteries funcional properties were evaluated in terms of arterial stiffness (C-F PWV and C-R PWV) using the Complior®, and in terms of vascular reactivity using high-resolution ultrasound in basal condition and after reactive hyperemia and sublingual administration of nitrate. Reactive hyperemia promotes endotlhelium dependent vasodilation which is flow mediate (DMF); nitrate is a nitric oxide donor and causes endothelium independent vasodilation. RESULTS: The prevalence of the CD absent or weak peripheral pulses was higher among patients with PTPI compared with control subjects (> 70.0% versus 5.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients with PTPI traveled shorter distances in the TC6 (265.1 + 77.4 versus 354.7 + 42.1 m, p < 0.001), presented higher C-F PWV (12.2 + 4.0 versus 9.6 + 2.2 m/s, p = 0.016), lower FMD (2.7 + 4.2% versus 6.1 + 5.4%, p = 0.014) and lower post nitrate dilation (14.3 + 8.4% versus 20.6 + 10.0%, p = 0.019) than the control group. The individual analysis of CD showed that their presence were associated with reduction in the total and pain free walking distances in TC6, increased C-F PWV, and diminished FMD and post nitrate dilation. The absent or weak dorsalis pedis and/or posterior tibial arterial pulses in the cluster analysis predicted: (1) poor functional capacity, reduction of 61 meters in the total walking distance and 124 meters in the pain free walking distance; (2) higher arterial stiffness, because the average of C-F PWV increased 18%; and (3) greater impairment of vascular reactivity, evidenced by a reduction of 2.6% in the FMD. In addition, alteration in the amplitude of some peripheral pulse or bruit in the left femoral artery increased 1024 times the risk of PTPI. Total and pain free walking distances in the TC6, C-F PWV and the post nitrate dilation were significantly associated with greater impairment of peripheral circulation evaluated through ABI. An increase of 1m of pain free travelled distance reduced the risk of severe (or moderate and severe) impairment of peripheral circulation in 0.8% (CI 95% = 0.985 - 0.998), whereas an increase of 1m/s in the C-F PWV increased the risk by 23.7% (CI 95% = 1.057 - 1.448). CONCLUSION: The CD absent or weak peripheral pulses was the most relevant characteristic determining the nursing diagnosis PTPI because it presented the highest prevalence, was associated with reduced functional capacity, and presented a strong association with arteries functional alteration.

As alterações vasculares são complicações clínicas secundárias a elevação da pressão arterial que podem comprometer a capacidade funcional e aumentar o risco de mortalidade. Um instrumento utilizado como marcador de doença arterial obstrutiva periférica que vem merecendo amplo interesse clínico e científico é o Índice Tornozelo-Braquial (ITB). Segundo diretrizes para a prática clínica, valores de ITB <=0,9 ou >=1,3 são considerados patológicos e associados a uma alta incidência de morbimortalidade cardiovascular. Este estudo descritivo e de corte transversal teve por objetivo identificar o risco cardiovascular em hipertensos do avental branco por meio da determinação do ITB com uso de esfigmomanômetros oscilométricos automáticos. Foi desenvolvido em um município localizado ao Nordeste do Estado de São Paulo, no período de agosto de 2010 a junho de 2011. Os participantes foram divididos em normotensos, hipertensos e hipertensos do avental branco, classificados de acordo com o diagnóstico médico e resultado da Monitorização Ambulatorial da Pressão Arterial (MAPA). As variáveis investigadas foram: idade, cor da pele, situação familiar conjugal, naturalidade, índice de escolaridade, profissão, peso, estatura, circunferência abdominal, pressão arterial em braços e tornozelos e ITB. O cálculo do ITB foi realizado pela relação da maior pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) da artéria tibial posterior com a maior pressão sistólica das artérias braquiais. As análises descritivas foram realizadas por meio do pacote estatístico StatisticalPackage for the Social Sciences - SPSS, versão 15.0. Utilizou-se análise de variância (ANOVA) para medidas repetidas e teste Tukey para comparações múltiplas das médias. O grau de relação linear nos escores de PAS e ITB foi verificado mediante a utilização do Coeficiente de Correlação de Pearson. Os resultados foram expressos como médias ± erros padrões das médias (EPM), e as diferenças consideradas estatisticamente significantes para p<0,05. Participaram do estudo 135 indivíduos, sendo 37% normotensos, 37% hipertensos e 26% hipertensos do avental branco. Em todos os grupos, a maioria dos participantes é do sexo feminino, de cor branca, vive com o cônjuge, é natural do estado de São Paulo, exerce atividades domésticas e tem ensino fundamental incompleto. Hipertensos do avental branco apresentam risco intermediário na análise de todas as variáveis clínicas estudadas. Apesar de não ter sido encontrada diferença significante na análise dos valores de ITB na comparação dos grupos, alterações compatíveis com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica e calcificação arterial foram observadas somente nos grupos hipertensão e hipertensão do avental branco. A análise do ITB de menor valor mostrou que 10% dos hipertensos e 5,7% dos hipertensos do avental branco apresentaram ITB<=0,9 e 6% dos hipertensos e 11,4% dos hipertensos do avental branco apresentaram ITB>1,3. Há correlação negativa entre os valores de PAS e ITB nos grupos hipertensão e hipertensão do avental branco. Estes achados remetem à premissa de que a hipertensão do avental branco não deve ser compreendida como uma condição benigna, sendo caracterizada por um quadro clínico que pode evoluir para hipertensão arterial estabelecida. A mensuração do ITB merece importância na abordagem clínica dos pacientes, devendo constituir um instrumento de avaliação do risco cardiovascular valorizado pelos profissionais na rotina dos serviços de saúde. / The vascular changes are secondary clinical complications of high blood pressure which can compromise the functional capacity and increase the risk of mortality. The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is an instrument used as a marker of peripheral occlusive arterial disease which has attracted broad scientific and clinical interest. According to guidelines for clinical practice, ABI values <=0.9 or >=1.3 are considered pathological and associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This descriptive and cross-sectional study aimed at identifying cardiovascular risk in white coat hypertension by determining the ABI through the use of automatic oscillometric sphygmomanometers. The study was performed in a municipality located in the northeastern of the state of São Paulo, from August 2010 to June 2011. Participants were divided into normotensive, hypertensive, and white coat hypertensive subjects, classified according to the medical diagnosis and outcome of Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM). The variables investigated were: age, color of skin, marital family situation, nationality, level of education, occupation, weight, height, waist circumference, ankle-brachial blood pressure and ABI. The calculation of ABI was performed by the ratio between the higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) of the posterior tibial artery and the highest systolic brachial artery. Descriptive analyzes were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Statistical Package - SPSS, version 15.0. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for repeated measures and Tukey test for multiple comparisons of means. The degree of linear relationship in the scores of SBP and ABI was verified by using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results were expressed as means ± standard errors of the mean (SEM), and the differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05. The study included 135 subjects, 37% normotensive, 37% hypertensive and 26% white coat hypertensive subjects. In all groups, most participants are female, white, live with the spouse, from the state of São Paulo, housewives and have incomplete elementary education. White coat hypertensive subjects have intermediate risk in the analysis of all clinical variables studied. Although no significant difference was found in the analysis of ABI values in the comparison of groups, changes consistent with peripheral occlusive arterial disease and arterial calcification was observed only in the groups with hypertensive and white coat hypertensive subjects. The analysis of the lower ABI value showed that 10% of hypertensive subjects and 5.7% of white- coat hypertensive subjects had ABI<=0.9 and 6% of hypertensive subjects and 11.4% of white-coat hypertensive subjects had ABI>1.3 . There is a negative correlation between SBP and ABI in the groups of hypertensive and white coat hypertensive subjects. These findings relate to the premise that white coat hypertension should not be understood as a benign condition, being characterized by a clinical condition that can lead to established hypertension. The measurement of ABI deserves importance in clinical management of patients and should be a tool for assessing cardiovascular risk valued by professionals in the routine of health services.

INTRODUÇÃO: O diagnóstico de enfermagem Perfusão Tissular Periférica Ineficaz (PTPI) e suas características definidoras (CD) ainda não foram validados em pacientes com doença arterial obstrutiva periférica dos membros inferiores (DAOMI), por meio de testes que avaliam a capacidade funcional e a função vascular arterial. OBJETIVO: Validar algumas CD de PTPI em pacientes com DAOMI sintomática e verificar sua importância na determinação desse diagnóstico de enfermagem. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Foram selecionados 65 pacientes com DAOMI (62,2 + 8,1 anos; 56,9% do sexo masculino; índice tornozelo-braquial - ITB = 0,59 + 0,14), nos quais a PTPI foi diagnosticada mediante a presença de claudicação intermitente e ITB < 0,90, e 17 indivíduos--controle (63,4 + 8,7 anos; 41,2% do sexo masculino; ITB = 1,14 + 0,08). Todos os participantes foram submetidos a exame físico, à medida do ITB, à avaliação de sua capacidade funcional e das propriedades funcionais das artérias. O ITB foi calculado para cada membro inferior, dividindo-se a maior pressão arterial do tornozelo pela maior pressão obtida nos braços; para análise considerou-se o pior ITB. Os pacientes com PTPI secundária à DAOMI foram divididos de acordo com o grau de prejuízo da circulação periférica. A capacidade funcional foi determinada por meio do teste de caminhada de seis minutos (TC6), registrando-se as distâncias percorridas, total e livre de dor. As propriedades funcionais das artérias foram avaliadas em termos da rigidez da parede (VOP C-F e VOP C-R), utilizando-se o Complior®, e da reatividade vascular, com a técnica de ultrassom vascular de alta resolução em condições basais, após manobra de hiperemia reativa e após administração sublingual de nitrato. A hiperemia reativa promove vasodilatação dependente do endotélio e é mediada pelo fluxo (DMF); por sua vez, o nitrato é um doador de óxido nítrico e causa vasodilatação independente do endotélio. RESULTADOS: A prevalência da CD pulsos periféricos ausentes ou filiformes foi maior nos pacientes com PTPI do que nos indivíduos-controle (> 70,0% versus 5,3%, respectivamente, p < 0,0001). Ainda, observou-se que pacientes com PTPI percorreram menores distâncias no TC6 (265,1 + 77,4 versus 354,7 + 42,1 m, p < 0,001) e apresentaram maior VOP C-F (12,2 + 4,0 versus 9,6 + 2,2 m/s, p = 0,016), menor DMF (2,7 + 4,2% versus 6,1 + 5,4%, p = 0,014) e menor dilatação pós- -nitrato (14,3 + 8,4% versus 20,6 + 10,0%, p = 0,019). Na análise individual, verificou-se que a presença das CD associou-se à redução das distâncias percorridas no TC6, total e livre de dor, ao aumento da VOP C-F e a menores DMF e dilatação pós-nitrato. Na análise conjunta, pulsos pedioso e/ou tibial posterior ausentes ou filiformes foram preditivos de: (1) menor capacidade funcional, com redução de 61 metros na distância total percorrida e 124 metros na distância livre de dor; (2) maior rigidez da parede arterial, pois aumentou em 18% a média da VOP C-F; e (3) maior prejuízo da reatividade vascular, evidenciada pela redução de 2,6% na DMF. Além disso, a alteração na amplitude de algum pulso periférico ou sopro na artéria femoral esquerda aumentou 1.024 vezes a chance de ocorrência de PTPI. Observou-se que as distâncias, total e livre de dor, percorridas no TC6, a VOP C-F e a dilatação pós-nitrato associaram-se de forma significativa com o maior prejuízo da circulação periférica, verificado pelo ITB, sendo que o aumento de 1m na distância percorrida livre de dor reduziu em 0,8% (IC 95% = 0,985 - 0,998) a chance de prejuízo grave (ou moderado e grave) da circulação periférica. Já o aumento de 1m/s na VOP C-F elevou essa chance em 23,7% (IC 95% = 1,057 - 1,448). CONCLUSÃO: A CD pulsos periféricos ausentes ou filiformes foi a mais relevante para o diagnóstico de enfermagem PTPI, pois apresentou maior prevalência, associou-se à maior limitação funcional e mostrou forte associação com alterações funcionais das artérias. / INTRODUCTION: The nursing diagnosis Ineffective Peripheral Tissue Perfusion (PTPI) and its defining characteristics (CD) have not yet been validated in patients with peripheral arterial obstructive disease (DAOP) in the lower limbs, through tests that evaluate functional capacity and arterial vascular function. OBJECTIVE: To validate some CD of PTPI in patients with symptomatic DAOP and verify the relevance of these characteristics in determining this nursing diagnosis. METHOD: 65 patients with DAOP were selected (62.2 + 8.1 years; 56.9% male; ankle brachial index - ABI = 0.59 + 0.14), in which PTPI was diagnosed considering the presence of intermittent claudication and ABI <0.90, and 17 control subjects (63.4 + 8.7 years; 41.2% male; ABI = 1.14 + 0.08). All participants were submitted to physical assessment, ABI measurement, evaluation of functional capacity and arteries functional properties. ABI was calculated for each leg, dividing the higher pressure of the ankle by the higher pressure of the arms, whereas the worst ABI was considered. Patients with ABI related to DAOP were split according to the impairment of peripheral circulation. Functional capacity was determined through the six-minute walk test (TC6). Total and pain free distances were recorded. Arteries funcional properties were evaluated in terms of arterial stiffness (C-F PWV and C-R PWV) using the Complior®, and in terms of vascular reactivity using high-resolution ultrasound in basal condition and after reactive hyperemia and sublingual administration of nitrate. Reactive hyperemia promotes endotlhelium dependent vasodilation which is flow mediate (DMF); nitrate is a nitric oxide donor and causes endothelium independent vasodilation. RESULTS: The prevalence of the CD absent or weak peripheral pulses was higher among patients with PTPI compared with control subjects (> 70.0% versus 5.3%, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients with PTPI traveled shorter distances in the TC6 (265.1 + 77.4 versus 354.7 + 42.1 m, p < 0.001), presented higher C-F PWV (12.2 + 4.0 versus 9.6 + 2.2 m/s, p = 0.016), lower FMD (2.7 + 4.2% versus 6.1 + 5.4%, p = 0.014) and lower post nitrate dilation (14.3 + 8.4% versus 20.6 + 10.0%, p = 0.019) than the control group. The individual analysis of CD showed that their presence were associated with reduction in the total and pain free walking distances in TC6, increased C-F PWV, and diminished FMD and post nitrate dilation. The absent or weak dorsalis pedis and/or posterior tibial arterial pulses in the cluster analysis predicted: (1) poor functional capacity, reduction of 61 meters in the total walking distance and 124 meters in the pain free walking distance; (2) higher arterial stiffness, because the average of C-F PWV increased 18%; and (3) greater impairment of vascular reactivity, evidenced by a reduction of 2.6% in the FMD. In addition, alteration in the amplitude of some peripheral pulse or bruit in the left femoral artery increased 1024 times the risk of PTPI. Total and pain free walking distances in the TC6, C-F PWV and the post nitrate dilation were significantly associated with greater impairment of peripheral circulation evaluated through ABI. An increase of 1m of pain free travelled distance reduced the risk of severe (or moderate and severe) impairment of peripheral circulation in 0.8% (CI 95% = 0.985 - 0.998), whereas an increase of 1m/s in the C-F PWV increased the risk by 23.7% (CI 95% = 1.057 - 1.448). CONCLUSION: The CD absent or weak peripheral pulses was the most relevant characteristic determining the nursing diagnosis PTPI because it presented the highest prevalence, was associated with reduced functional capacity, and presented a strong association with arteries functional alteration.