title: Asymptomatic peripheral artery disease and antiplatelet management.
abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a hallmark of generalized atherosclerosis. Depending on the specific diagnostic criteria that are being used, the prevalence of PAD may be as high as 30 % in the population of people 70 or more years old. Unfortunately, although PAD is prevalent and has many important consequences for patients, it is often under-detected and under-treated by primary care physicians. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the available literature on epidemiology and antiplatelets management of PAD patients. In particular, we focus on the "hidden" side of PAD burden, the asymptomatic patients, who are at high risk of negative cardiovascular outcomes. Identification of such PAD patients is therefore an important clinical goal to reduce mortality and morbidity and reduce the social cost of atherosclerotic disease. Early screening of PAD and an evidence-based antithrombotic approach are also discussed as potential strategies to counteract the negative impact of such condition in general population, as well as, in patients with other cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Raparelli
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Proietti
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Napoleone
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Tommaso
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bucci
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Talerico
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Pignataro
authors.affiliation: Sapienza-University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Basili
mesh_terms: D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases; D018450:Disease Progression; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
keywords: Ankle brachial index; antiplatelet drugs; asymptomatic peripheral artery disease; cardiovascular events; cardiovascular prevention