Epidemiology of peripheral artery disease in Europe: VAS Educational Paper

This paper reviews the current epidemiological data on peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Europe. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is presented and PAD prevalence is discussed, as compared to coronary (CAD) and cerebrovascular (CeVD) diseases, in European Union (EU) countries and European continent countries. The article reviews PAD clinical manifestations, PAD diagnosis, risk factors for PAD incidence and progression, PAD prognosis and financial implications. CVD mortality is higher in women than in men and in European continent countries, as compared to EU countries. While CAD and CeVD have a lower prevalence in EU countries, as compared to the whole continent, PAD and other CVDs still have a higher prevalence in EU countries. PAD prevalence vary widely between countries, increases sharply with aging and has a relation with ethnicity. CVD comorbidities are high in PAD subjects and particularly high in those with critical limb ischemia. PAD prognosis is related to CAD and CeVD mortality, that are particularly high in critical limb ischemia. This review promotes the need for global awareness on PAD burden, stimulates PAD screening and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of PAD and associated cardiovascular comorbidities.