title: [The added value of a structured evaluation of patients with vascular disease].
abstract: In 3 patients, 2 women aged 21 and 34 years and a man aged 56 years, with complaints related to wide-ranging and extensive vascular conditions, an organ-specific diagnostic approach and treatment did not lead to the correct diagnosis of the underlying clinical condition. Hereafter a structured, partly protocol-based approach was started which considered the entire vascular system and risk factors for vascular disease. The youngest women died a few years later due to ventricular fibrillation, while the two other patients were assisted in reducing those risk factors that could be influenced. As a result, the planned bypass operation was no longer necessary for the male patient. A structured evaluation by a multidisciplinary team can optimise the care of these patients. The basis of such a team consists of a vascular specialist and vascular nurse-practitioner, both of whom should have specific knowledge of risk factors, aetiology, life style intervention and treatment of these disorders.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Algemeen Interne Geneeskunde, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen. s.bredie@aig.azn.nl
authors.forename: S J H
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bredie
authors.forename: H C H
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wollersheim
authors.forename: J W M
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lenders
authors.forename: A F H
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Stalenhoef
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009746:Nursing, Team; D010346:Patient Care Management; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*