Evidence-based management of peripheral vascular disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is very prevalent in the United States and is part of a global vascular problem. PVD patients have a heightened inflammatory state and are at high risk of death from acute cardiovascular problems rather than from progression of PVD. Modifiable risk factors for PVD include smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, elevated high sensitivity C-reactive protein, obesity, and the metabolic syndrome. Symptomatic treatment of claudication includes smoking cessation, exercise, cilostazol, statins, and revascularization with percutaneous or surgical therapy. Antithrombotic therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel is important to reduce cardiovascular events but does not affect symptoms of claudication. Patients with rest limb ischemia or ulceration should be revascularized to minimize the chance of limb loss. Percutaneous revascularization is not without significant complications, however, and future research needs to focus on inflammation, thrombosis, and restenosis in the PVD patient. Finally, new devices that tackle difficult lesions, drug-eluting stents, and pharmacologic agents that reduce global atherosclerosis are on the horizon and are likely to become critical components in the management of the PVD patient.