What is the most common site of peripheral arterial disease?

The most common site of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the femoral arteries. This is largely due to the anatomical location and the high prevalence of atherosclerosis that affects these arteries. The femoral arteries are major blood vessels located in the thigh and are critical for supplying blood to the leg. Atherosclerosis, characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques in the arterial walls, tends to first affect large, elastic arteries, which include the femoral arteries. As the disease progresses, it can lead to significant narrowing that restricts blood flow, resulting in symptoms such as claudication (pain in the legs with activity) and, in more advanced cases, critical limb ischemia.

While other sites, like the popliteal and tibial arteries, are also affected by PAD, they are typically involved after the femorals. The coronary arteries are discussed in the context of coronary artery disease, which is a different condition related to the heart rather than peripheral circulation. Thus, the femoral arteries being the most common site for PAD aligns with both anatomical considerations and the typical progression of arterial disease in the lower extremities.