PAD is a marker of a systemic disease and patients with PAD may have atherosclerotic disease in other vascular beds, including the carotid and coronary circulation. Patients with mild to moderate PAD have a higher 5 year risk of stroke, myocardial infarction or cardiovascular death than amputation. Initial therapy should include smoking cessation and risk factor modification, medical therapy and a walking program. Lower extremity bypass surgery and endovascular therapy should be reserved for patients with limb threatening ischemia or truly disabling claudication.

Conditions: PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease), Asymptomatic, Claudication, Limb Threatening Ischemia

Procedures: Lower Extremity Bypass Surgery, Endovascular Therapy, Percutaneous Intervention

Sources

• Society for Vascular Surgery Lower Extremity Guidelines Writing Group: Conte MS, Pomposelli FB, Clair DG, Geraghty PJ, McKinsey JF, et al. Society for Vascular Surgery practice guidelines for atherosclerotic occlusive disease of the lower extremities: management of asymptomatic disease and claudication. J Vasc Surg 2015;61(3 Suppl):2S-41S. (PubMed)