Systemic antiatherosclerotic treatment for the peripheral arterial occlusive disease patient.
Symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is indicative of widespread atherosclerosis. The major threat is from cardiovascular ischaemic events; thus, an important therapeutic goal is to modify atherosclerotic risk factors. Data from several large drug trials indicate that patients with PAD may gain as much, if not more, benefit from aggressive secondary prevention than those with other manifestations of atherothrombosis. In fact, the level of care for patients with PAD is lower as compared with those with ischaemic heart disease, although PAD is defined to be a coronary artery risk equivalent. This paper reviews observational data and generalisation from trials in patients with other manifestations of cardiovascular disease that support the importance of treating key risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidaemia in PAD patients.
Baumgartner
Iris
I
Division Angiology, University Hospital, Swiss Cardiovascular Center, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. iris.Baumgartner@insel.ch
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors