title: Prognosis of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: The incidence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is on the increase and is associated with a major health concern in current practical care. The most common disease process underlying PAD is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a complex generalized disease affecting several arterial beds, including the peripheral and coronary circulation. Especially in patients with PAD, high incidences of coronary artery disease (CAD) have been observed, which may be asymptomatic or symptomatic. The prognosis of patients with PAD is related to the presence and extent of underlying CAD. In patients with PAD undergoing major vascular surgery, cardiac complications are the major cause of perioperative morbidity and mortality and indicate a high-risk for adverse long-term cardiac outcome. In order to improve outcome for PAD patients, assessment and aggressive therapy of atherosclerotic risk factors and usage of cardio-protective medications is recommended. Unfortunately, substantial differences in risk factor management and treatment and long-term outcome have been reported between PAD and CAD patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: G M J M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Welten
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schouten
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chonchol
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Hoeks
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Bax
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Van Domburg
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Poldermans
mesh_terms: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents