Peripheral vascular isease (PVD), also known as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or peripheral artery occlusive disease (PAOD), is a collator for all diseases caused by the obstruction of large peripheral arteries, which can result from atherosclerosis, inflammatory processes leading to stenosis, an embolism or thrombus formation. It causes either acute or chronic ischemia (lack of blood supply), typically of the legs.