Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is a common circulatory disorder in which the iliac arteries become narrow or blocked. The iliac arteries branch from the aorta (a large artery that is the body's primary supplier of blood) to carry oxygen-rich blood into your legs.

Why Choose The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Vascular surgeons at The Ohio State Wexner University Medical Center are experts in the treatment of peripheral artery diseases, such as aortoiliac occlusive disease. For patients who cannot be treated with traditional methods, our vascular surgeons participate in ongoing clinical trials investigating the use of stem cells to treat certain cases of peripheral artery disease.

What Is Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease?

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is the narrowing or blockage of your iliac arteries (arteries that branch from the aorta to carry oxygen-rich blood to your legs). It can cause discomfort, cramping or pain in the hips, thighs, buttocks or calves during physical activity. The pain may stop when you rest. As the disease develops, you may feel pain in your feet and toes even while resting.

Aortoiliac occlusive disease can easily go undiagnosed. If you have any of the symptoms described above, be sure to inform your physician. This condition can lead to increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

What Causes Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease?

Aortoiliac occlusive disease is usually caused by atherosclerosis (thickening or hardening of the arteries). Risk factors that contribute to this disease factor are:

• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Tobacco use

Many of these risk factors can be reduced or eliminated by changing your lifestyle. ​

Cardiologists

• Steven M. Dean, DO
• Jennifer Dickerson, MD
• Evan Dixon, MD
• Richard Gumina, MD
• Albert Kolibash Jr., MD
• Sanjay Rajagopalan, MBBS
• Talal Attar, MD
• Cindy Baker, MD
• Mary Breckenridge, MD
• Debbra Debaets, MD
• Barry George, MD
• Arsad Karcic, MD
• Lawrence Murcko, MD
• Timothy Obarski, DO

Vascular Surgeons

• Michael Go, MD 
• Mounir Joe Haurani, MD
• Maria Litzendorf, MD
• Jean Starr, MD
• Patrick Vaccaro, MD