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Obliterative arteriosclerosis of extremities in patients with coronary heart disease
Insights
Peripheral obliterative arteriosclerosis developed annually in 7.4% of patients post-myocardial infarction. Many patients with this condition had no symptoms, highlighting the need for regular screening for lower extremity circulation impairment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Cardiology
- Angiology
Background:
- Patients with a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or acute coronary insufficiency are at risk for peripheral vascular disease.
- Obliterative arteriosclerosis in the lower extremities can progress silently, without noticeable symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the annual incidence of lower extremity obliterative arteriosclerosis in patients with prior cardiovascular events.
- To assess the progression of peripheral obliterative arteriosclerosis over a one-year period.
- To identify the prevalence of asymptomatic peripheral obliterative arteriosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 314 patients with a history of MI or acute coronary insufficiency underwent serial angiological examinations.
- Examinations were conducted at baseline and after a one-year follow-up interval.
- Assessment included clinical evaluation and objective measures of peripheral circulation.
Main Results:
- At baseline, 18.8% of patients exhibited signs of lower extremity obliterative arteriosclerosis.
- A significant proportion (34%) of these patients were asymptomatic.
- The annual incidence of new-onset obliterative arteriosclerosis was 7.4%.
- Among patients with initial signs, 66% showed objective circulatory impairment after one year.
- No cases of upper extremity obliterative arteriosclerosis were detected.
Conclusions:
- Obliterative arteriosclerosis of the lower extremities is a common complication in patients with cardiovascular disease.
- A substantial number of patients with peripheral obliterative arteriosclerosis remain undiagnosed due to lack of symptoms.
- Regular angiological screening is crucial for early detection and management of peripheral vascular disease in this high-risk population.
Abstract:
In a group of 314 patients after past myocardial infarction or an episode of acute coronary insufficiency, angiological examination, repeated after a one-year interval, was performed. In the first examination, signs of obliterative arteriosclerosis in the lower extremities were found in 18.8% of the patients. It was noteworthy that 34% of patients with peripheral obliterative arteriosclerosis had no complaints connected with an impairment of circulation in the limbs. On the basis of the second examination, performed after a one-year interval, it was found that the annual incidence of obliterative arteriosclerosis in the lower extremities was 7.4%. In 66% of patients showing signs of obliterative arteriosclerosis at the first examination, objective impairment of peripheral circulation was observed after a one-year interval. In none of the patients did the investigators find signs of obliterative arteriosclerosis in the upper extremities.