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What does the future hold for the patient with peripheral arterial disease?

H. Sillesen*

Department of Vascular Surgery, KAS Gentofte University of Copenhagen, N. Andersensuej, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark

* Correspondence: Dr. H. Sillesen, Department of Vascular Surgery, KAS Gentofte University of Copenhagen, N. Andersensuej, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark. Tel. +45-39-77-3402; fax: +45-39-77-7614
hens{at}gentoftehosp.kbhamt.dk

Abstract

Individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a significantly elevated risk of developing major cardiovascular complications, but, until recently, the atherosclerotic manifestation of PAD has largely been regarded as a local problem of limited blood supply in the lower limbs, and treatment has reflected this. The association between PAD and cardiovascular mortality suggests that treatment strategies should, however, take into account the systemic nature of atherosclerosis and focus on the management of recognized atherosclerotic risk factors. This is reflected in national and international treatment guidelines, which recommend that patients with PAD should be targeted for aggressive atherosclerotic risk factor therapy. Although interventional and medical therapies are available, and are continuing to be developed, PAD patients are currently being undertreated, and there is, therefore, a need for unbiased and comprehensive reporting of treatment results and quality assurance, so that awareness is raised and the management of PAD is improved.

Key Words: Cardiovascular risk factor management • Intermittent claudication • Interventional therapy • Lipid-lowering therapy • Peripheral arterial disease


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