Arterial vascular disease in women
Ageliki G Vouyouka1, K Craig Kent
1Division of Vascular Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital, Cornell University, Weill Medical School and Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10021, USA. agv9002@med.cornell.edu
Insights
Arterial diseases like carotid, aortic, and lower extremity conditions are underdiagnosed and undertreated in women. Understanding gender-specific differences is crucial for improving female patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Women's Health
Background:
- Arterial disease poses a growing concern for women's health.
- Vascular conditions are projected to become a significant issue in the near future.
- Focus on common vascular diseases: carotid atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysms, and lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize current knowledge on arterial disease in women.
- To highlight gender-specific differences in vascular disease presentation and management.
- To identify challenges in diagnosing and treating vascular conditions in female patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective systematic review of existing literature.
- Analysis of data concerning carotid atherosclerotic, abdominal aortic aneurysmal, and lower extremity arterial occlusive diseases.
- Focus on studies addressing vascular disease in women.
Main Results:
- Vascular disease is frequently underdiagnosed or undertreated in women.
- Women exhibit distinct natural history, clinical, and physiological patterns compared to men for cerebrovascular, aortic aneurysmal, and lower extremity arterial diseases.
- Biomedical devices and treatment indications derived from male-dominated studies present challenges for female patients.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced understanding of gender differences in vascular disease is essential.
- Focused randomized trials and biomedical research are needed to address female-specific aspects.
- Identifying gender-specific medical and social risk factors will improve clinical outcomes for women.
Background:
Arterial disease in women will become a major issue in the near future.
Methods:
A systemic review of existing literature was retrospectively conducted to collect information on the three most common entities of vascular disease: carotid atherosclerotic, abdominal aortic aneurismal, and lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.
Results:
Vascular disease is either underdiagnosed or undertreated in women. Whether regarding cerebrovascular disease, aortic aneurysmal disease, or atherosclerosis affecting the lower extremities, natural history, clinical and physiologic patterns are different in women vs men. Current biomedical devices create challenges in endovascular procedures performed in women. Furthermore, indications for treatment of vascular disease are derived from large studies where women are often underrepresented; and, thus, may not be applicable in female vascular patients.
Conclusions:
Better understanding of the gender differences in vascular disease with focused randomized trials, biomedical research, and identification of gender specific medical and social risk factors will improve the clinical outcomes in female patients.
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