title: Cholesterol reduction in patients with lower limb atherosclerotic disease.
abstract: Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a 2-3 times increased risk of death and in the most severe stage, critical peripheral ischaemia, the mortality rate is around 50% within 4-5. This poor survival rate is due to concomitant coronary and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease. Among the major risk factors for atherosclerosis are dyslipidaemia, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Large randomised trials have shown that dyslipidaemia is easily modifiable in both patients with and without established coronary artery disease, with significant reductions in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although none of these trials directly measured peripheral vascular status, there is every indication that conclusions submitted for patients with ischaemic heart disease can be translated to patients with peripheral vascular disease. The object of this review was therefore to divulge current evidence available supporting active treatment of dyslipidaemia in patients with peripheral vascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, County Hospital, Gentofte.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bismuth
authors.forename: Steen Christian
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kofoed
authors.forename: Henrik H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Sillesen
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents