Vasodilatory Effects of Light on Peripheral Artery Disease
Subjects with a known diagnosis of peripheral artery disease as measured by an abnormal ankle brachial index (\<.9 or \>1.1) will undergo a single 5 min exposure of 670 nm light, 1 cm above the gastrocnemius muscle. Blood flow will be measured by infusion of ultrasound contrast and subsequent acquisition of ultrasound images. 2 blood samples will be collected for measurement of nitric oxide metabolites.
• Participants will be subjects between the ages of 18 and 85 who have been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. Men and women will be recruited for participation. All ethnicities will be included in this study.
⁃ Diagnosis of peripheral artery disease is defined as an Ankle Brachial index of \<0.9 or greater than 1.1 either at rest or during treadmill exercise.