Significance of close surveillance of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
BACKGROUND
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) indicates generalized atherosclerosis but is still underdiagnosed and undertreated.


METHODS
Data were collected from patients with PAD from the Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University of Heidelberg, Germany. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and medication were documented.


RESULTS
Atherogenic risk factors, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease were highly prevalent. By continuous care at the university clinic, in addition to family medicine treatment, the use of platelet inhibitors, antihypertensives, and lipid-lowering therapy was increased. Ankle-brachial index and walking distance improved.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term treatment at the university clinic had positive effects on atherogenic risk factors. The regular use of secondary preventive medication was improved. Still, this patient population remained undertreated and showed a high incidence of vascular event rates and a need for vascular interventions. This study implies the importance of both specialists and general practitioners in the care of these individuals.
Barrows
Robin Joyce
RJ
Department of Neurology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. robinjoyce.barrows@med.uni-heidelberg.de
Krumsdorf
Ulrike
U
Zankl
Alexandra
A
Katus
Hugo
H
Tiefenbacher
Christiane Pia
CP
D000368:Aged; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015897:Comorbidity; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents