[Intermittent claudication--diagnosis and treatment].
BACKGROUND
Intermittent claudication occurs in 5% of the population over 60 years, and may involve reduced walking distance, pain and a reduced quality of life. The mortality rate is 5% per year and the annual amputation rate 1%. This review article gives an update on diagnosis and medical, endovascular and surgical treatment of intermittent claudication.


METHODS
The article is based on publications found on Pubmed, supplemented by clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The aims of medical, endovascular and surgical treatments are to enable the patient to walk further, obtain an improved quality of life and to live longer. Patients should first be treated medically. Endovascular treatment or open surgery, are options for patients with reduced quality of life due to limited walking distance. The treatment choice depends on the location of the arterial lesions and if the patient has any other illness.
Pedersen
Gustav
G
Karkirurgisk seksjon, Haukeland Universitetssjukehus, 5021 Bergen. gustav.pedersen@helse-bergen.no
Laxdal
Elin
E
Jonung
Torbjørn
T
Aune
Steinar
S
D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical; D017130:Angioplasty / Q000379:methods; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors