title: Renal function impairment in peripheral arterial disease: an important parameter that should not be neglected.
abstract: A considerable percentage of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have impaired renal function. We searched the literature (PubMed/Medline) to determine the clinical significance and assess the management of renal dysfunction in these patients. The results of our literature search suggest that impaired renal function is a frequent finding in patients with PAD. The presence of concomitant renal dysfunction in these patients is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates, as well as the occurrence of cardiovascular events (stroke, myocardial infarction, and vascular death). Additionally, impaired renal function negatively affects survival, limb salvage, and graft patency rates when these patients undergo lower extremity revascularization procedures. The use of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is associated with improved renal function and reduced cardiovascular risk in patients with PAD. Based on current evidence, renal function should be assessed and regularly monitored in all patients with PAD. More importantly, initiation of appropriate treatment (e.g., statins and ACE inhibitors) should be implemented to preserve renal function and improve vascular morbidity and mortality in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Kosmas I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Paraskevas
authors.forename: Athanassios D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Giannoukas
authors.forename: Dimitri P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Mikhailidis
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D003404:Creatinine