Peripheral Arterial Disease - The Forgotten Risk Factor
The presence of Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) reflects a systemic process that also affects the cardiac and cerebral circulation. Unfortunately awareness of the importance of PAD is low among physicians as well as patients. PAD is a marker for increased risk of future events such as myocardial infarction and stroke and the management of patients with PAD is similar to that of patients with other cardiovascular disease and includes lifestyle changes and pharmacotherapy with agents such as antihypertensives, antiplatelets and lipid lowering drugs. PAD is relatively common and can be easily screened for using hand held Doppler (ABPI) to measure pressures in the foot arteries. However, there are currently no routine screening programmes in place for PAD. A simple screening programme based on ABPI could increase rates of early detection among the asymptomatic population with the potential for a dramatic reduction in subsequent coronary events. Such screening programmes might identify many millions of high risk patients world-wide.
Keywords: coronary artery disease (cad); dyslipidaemia; intermittent claudication (ic); pharmacotherapy; smoking
Document Type: Review Article
Affiliations: Northern Vascular Unit, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, U.K.
Publication date: 01 April 2005
- Vascular Disease Prevention publishes reviews as well as original papers to update all those concerned with this topic at the clinical or scientific level. In addition to clinically relevant topics, we consider reviews and original papers dealing with the more scientific aspects of vascular disease prevention. This includes the evaluation of emerging vascular risk factors, research dealing with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the investigation of new treatment options both at the clinical and scientific level (e.g. epidemiology, patient-based studies, experimental models, in vitro experiments or molecular research). Therefore, another function of Vascular Disease Prevention is to bridge the gap between clinical practice and ongoing laboratory-based research.
In particular, we welcome critical reviews and comments on recent trials. This is a topic that requires regular updates because of the large number of trials published every year.
Debates are encouraged in the correspondence section of this journal.
The editorial structure of Vascular Disease Prevention is set up with the aim of dealing with the submitted material as rapidly as possible. Specialist editors will provide a more expert and rapid assessment unlike a more centralized editorial structure.
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