Treatment of peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis strongly associated with cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality. Approximately 12% of the US adult population is affected. Despite its prevalence, the disease has received little attention from clinicians. The primary causes of death in patients with PAD are myocardial infarction and stroke; thus, current treatment strategies for symptomatic PAD include aggressive modification of risk factors for CV disease such as cessation of smoking, treatment of hypertension and diabetes, and normalization of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. All patients with PAD should be receiving antiplatelet therapy to prevent ischemic events. Medical treatment for patients with claudication includes exercise rehabilitation and drug therapy. Although many therapies for claudication have been thoroughly investigated, research continues on new treatments. In contrast, more prospective, randomized trials are needed to evaluate various therapies for treating patients with PAD.