Peripheral Artery Disease: Treatment of Claudication and Surgical Management

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects approximately 230 million people worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular and limb events. Even though this condition is considered a cardiovascular equivalent, it remains an under-recognized and under-treated entity. Anti-platelet and statin therapy, along with smoking cessation, are the foundations of therapy to reduce adverse events but are challenging to fully implement in this patient population. Race and socioeconomic status also have profound impacts on PAD outcomes. Exercise therapy is the gold standard treatment of claudication while revascularization procedures are often reserved for patients with limb-threatening ischemia.