Cheney tests show dilated leg artery, esophagitis

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Medical tests performed on Vice President Dick Cheney on Saturday showed small, dilated parts of the arteries behind his knees, his spokeswoman said.

The condition could indicate an Aneurysm - a weak spot in the artery - and can occur in people with clogged arteries, said Kevin O’Donnell, senior surgical physician’s assistant at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Wellesley, Massachusetts.

Leg Aneurysms are less serious than those in the brain or abdominal region, and a smaller level of dilation would correlate with lower risk, O’Donnell said.

The tests also showed Cheney has a mild case of esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus that in many cases is caused by Heartburn. It can be treated with medications.

The tests were performed at George Washington University Hospital and followed Cheney’s annual physical and heart checkup on July 8. It showed Cheney’s pacemaker had detected no irregular heart beat, a positive sign for the vice president.

Cheney, 64, has had a history of heart trouble, including a fourth Heart attack shortly after the contested presidential election in November 2000.

On Saturday Cheney had a colonoscopy, an upper endoscopy and vascular screening, said Cheney spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride.

“The colonoscopy was normal,” McBride said in a statement. “Endoscopy indicated mild esophagitis. Vascular screening identified small, dilated segments of the arteries behind both knees.”

McBride would not elaborate on the findings of the tests.

The Merck Manual, a doctors’ reference book, says Aneurysms behind the knees are common in older people and rarely rupture.

But they can cause blood clots to form, which can travel in the body to cause a Stroke, Heart attack or other problem. Surgery is often recommended to correct them, the manual said.

McBride said Cheney went home after the tests and resumed his normal activities. He is awaiting word from his doctors on what treatments he might need. 

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