Pharmacologic risk factor management in peripheral arterial disease: a vade mecum for vascular surgeons

There is broad and compelling evidence for risk factor reduction to limit cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Indeed, vascular surgeons have placed a call to arms to ensure this takes place. Despite this fact, some wariness exists on the part of many vascular surgeons to initiate these strategies, functionally abnegating their responsibilities in this regard. The purpose of this article is to provide a simple reference to guide effective therapies for overall cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with peripheral arterial disease. Specific recommendations are made for tobacco cessation, lipid-lowering therapy, antiplatelet therapy, blood pressure control, and maintenance of normoglycemia.