Introduction: Peripheral arterial disease is a chronic condition and a major public health concern. Risk factors of PAD include poor dietary habits, low physical activity levels, smoking tobacco and coexisting diseases like hypertension, diabetes or hyperlipidemia. The goal of the study was to evaluate the influence of dietary habits, physical activity and selected quality-of-life factors on PAD among patients hospitalized at the Department of Vascular Surgery and Transplantation, Medical University of Białystok. Methods: The study was conducted on 127 patients diagnosed with PAD. Standardized questionnaires were used: IPAQ (short version) to assess physical activity, FFQ-6 to evaluate of the quality of diet and SF-36 to evaluate health-related quality of life. Results: A positive correlation between the educational level and diet quality was found—higher education associated with a greater proportion of high-quality products in diet (p = 0.001). A negative correlation was found between age and physical activity level (p < 0.001). Physical activity level was associated with differences in the SF-36 physical component summary, with statistically significant differences observed between the categories of activity (p = 0.047). The positive influence of vitamin supplements on the SF-36 mental component summary was not found; patients taking vitamin supplements had worse MCS results. On top of that, higher physical activity was associated with lower MCS, and longer time spent sitting with higher MCS. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the lifestyle interventions for PAD patients should consider their educational level and the age-related decrease in physical activity. Physical activity remains significantly associated with the physical component of quality of life. Concurrently, the PCS observations suggest that only intensifying physical activity or supplementation is not necessarily associated with the improvement of mental wellbeing. Further analysis that accounts for clinical status and possible confounding factors are warranted.

Background: Arteriovenous fistula is an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein. Post-traumatic fistulas are uncommon and usually occur after penetrating injuries, including gunshot wounds. Cervical arteriovenous fistulas are particularly rare and may coexist with a pseudoaneurysm, creating diagnostic and therapeutic challenges because of the proximity of major vascular, neurological, and aerodigestive structures. In hemodynamically stable patients, the limited external appearance of the wound may underestimate the extent of internal vascular injury; therefore, imaging is central to diagnosis and treatment planning. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 49-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a gunshot wound to the left side of the neck. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated a vascular injury adjacent to the left common carotid artery (LCCA), and further evaluation revealed an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) between the LCCA and the left internal jugular vein (LIJV), coexisting with a pseudoaneurysm of the LCCA. Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) identified an arterial wall defect and extrinsic compression of the LCCA by the hematoma. Selective digital subtraction angiography (DSA) confirmed an AVF between the LCCA and the LIJV, coexisting with an LCCA pseudoaneurysm. A covered stent-graft was implanted and completion angiography confirmed exclusion of both lesions with preserved patency of the LCCA. Discussion: This case demonstrates the complementary value of CTA, DUS and DSA in penetrating neck trauma. CTA provided rapid cross-sectional assessment of the injury trajectory and associated lesions, DUS added information on the arterial wall and local hemodynamic consequences, and DSA confirmed arteriovenous shunting while enabling immediate endovascular treatment. Conclusions: In hemodynamically stable patients with penetrating neck trauma, CTA should be considered when the wound trajectory approaches major vessels, even in the absence of active external bleeding. DUS and DSA may provide complementary information for lesion characterization and procedural planning. Covered stent-graft implantation may be a feasible reconstructive option in carefully selected patients.