Multidisciplinary management of peripheral artery disease

Individuals with peripheral artery disease (PAD) often have risk factors including, but not limited to, multiple comorbidities, lower extremity wounds, limb amputation, and poor quality of life. PAD has been shaped by advancements in medical technology, evolving treatment paradigms, and a growing focus on patient-reported health status and patient-centered outcomes. Collaborative care models with multidisciplinary teams including primary care physicians and vascular medicine, vascular surgery, interventional radiology, interventional cardiology, physical therapy, podiatry, infectious diseases, endocrinology, pain management, and mental health specialists continue to evolve. Because individuals with PAD have multiple comorbidities, a team-based approach has been recommended by societal guidelines to ensure optimal medical, social, and possibly interventional options. This article will review the importance of a multidisciplinary team approach for individuals with PAD.