Pharmacological treatment and current management of peripheral artery disease

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at heightened risk of both systemic cardiovascular adverse events, as well as limb-related morbidity. The optimal management of patients with PAD requires a comprehensive treatment strategy incorporating both lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation and exercise, as well as optimal medical therapy. Pharmacological therapies for patients with PAD are targeted both at modifying broad risk factors for major adverse cardiovascular events, as well as reducing limb-related morbidity. Observational data suggest that indicated pharmacological treatments are greatly underutilized in PAD, underscoring the need for improvements in patient identification and care delivery. Ongoing trials of novel therapies in patients with PAD will further inform pharmacological strategies to reduce both systemic cardiovascular risk and limb-related morbidity.