+++
CHAPTER SUMMARY AND CENTRAL ILLUSTRATION
++
Content Update
BEST-CLI: Which Revascularization Technique is Best?
The BEST-CLI trial was a prospective, randomized, open-label trial evaluating surgical versus endovascular revascularization for patients with chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) caused by infrainguinal peripheral artery disease. Read More
++
Content Update
DANCAVAS: Five-Year Outcomes of the Danish Cardiovascular Screening Trial
The DANCAVAS (Danish Cardiovascular Screening) trial was designed to assess the impact of population-based cardiovascular health screening with respect to the risk of death. Read More
++
Chapter Summary
This chapter discusses peripheral artery disease (PAD), focusing on risk factors, clinical assessment, classification, and management. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerotic plaque formation in arteries of the lower extremities. Risk factors for PAD include age, diabetes, smoking, and kidney disease. Patients with PAD have increased risk for future cardiovascular events. Clinical manifestations of patients with PAD depend on location and severity of stenosis. Typical claudication is only present in a minority of patients with PAD; many patients present with vague leg symptoms. Other manifestations of PAD include acute limb ischemia (ALI) and chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). A systemic and comprehensive approach should be applied to the diagnosis and management of PAD. Diagnostic testing for suspected PAD and CTLI is key to guiding further assessment and revascularization management. The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is key to diagnosis of PAD, with use of exercise to reveal claudication in specific cases. Other testing modalities can be helpful in patients with normal ABIs but high clinical suspicion for PAD. Medical management is key for reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality as well as preservation of limb function and survival from amputation. Acute arterial occlusion management for viable limbs should focus on revascularization and anticoagulation.
++
++
Peripheral vascular diseases are a diverse set of processes that can affect the arteries, veins, and lymphatic circulations. This chapter will focus on peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is defined as any arterial disease (other than aneurysms) from the abdominal aorta to the feet and toes. A systemic and comprehensive approach will be applied to the diagnosis and management of PAD. We will focus on the most common cause of PAD: atherosclerosis. Nonatherosclerotic causes of PAD such as vasospastic diseases, inflammatory diseases, and entrapment syndromes are beyond the scope of this chapter.
+++
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
++
The anatomic hallmark of PAD is atherosclerotic plaque formation in arteries of the lower extremities. PAD is the most common cause of lower extremity ischemia in Western societies.1 The Global Burden of Disease study estimated more than a 30% increase in deaths and disability related to PAD between 2005 and 2015.2,3 Although many patients are asymptomatic, the most common presentations ...