title: The burden of peripheral artery disease and the role of antiplatelet therapy.
abstract: Along with coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease (PAD) is primarily caused by atherosclerosis. In fact, PAD is a marker of advanced atherosclerotic disease, as evidenced from several studies that suggest approximately 60% of patients with PAD have polyvascular disease or manifestations of atherosclerosis in the coronary or cerebrovascular territories as well. However, despite a PAD prevalence that is > 15% in patients with cardiovascular risk factors aged 60 to 69 years and > 35% in patients aged 70 to 82 years, there is a lack of disease awareness on the part of both physicians and patients. This lack of awareness most likely contributes to the high cardiovascular risk associated with a diagnosis of PAD. For example, in the Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) Registry, patients with PAD experienced the highest rates of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or hospitalization for atherothrombotic events. High-risk patients should be screened for the presence of PAD. If diagnosed, physicians should institute a comprehensive treatment strategy that includes lifestyle modification and appropriate risk-reducing therapies. Because PAD is a manifestation of atherosclerosis, antiplatelet therapy should be a critical component of any PAD treatment plan. This article reviews the epidemiology and cardiovascular risks associated with PAD, as well as available diagnostic and treatment options.
authors.affiliation: St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. haronow@michiganheart.com
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Hiatt
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors