RT Book, Section A1 Ramana, Ravi K. A1 Lewis, Bruce E. A1 Dieter, Robert S. A2 Dieter, Robert S. A2 Dieter, Raymond A. A2 Dieter, Raymond A. SR Print(0) ID 1127168379 T1 Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease T2 Peripheral Arterial Disease YR 2009 FD 2009 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9780071481793 LK accesscardiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1127168379 RD 2024/10/10 AB Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (LEPAD) is a major cause of poor quality of life, disability, and significant morbidity and mortality in the United States.1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 In this chapter, LEPAD is used to refer to any arterial disease affecting the lower extremity, including occlusive, aneursymal, and vasculitic disease states. Even when asymptomatic, LEPAD has been shown to decrease mobility and bone mineral density8,9,12,18; leads to foot ulcers and amputations8,19; and be a strong predictor of subsequent cardiovascular (CV) disease, nonfatal CV events (e.g., myocardial infarction and stroke), and mortality.6,10,20 Standard therapy for LEPAD should include antiplatelet therapy and be directed at control of risk factors including smoking cessation, lipid management, strict diabetic therapy, and control of blood pressure21 in attempts to stop progression of the systemic atherosclerotic process. Current therapy on symptomatic disease includes exercise therapy, antiplatelet medications, and a variety of percutaneous interventional and surgical procedures. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate therapy for LEPAD can significant improve quality of life and decrease significant morbidity and CV mortality.