title: Multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is frequently diagnosed after permanent damage has occurred, resulting in a high rate of morbidity, amputation, and loss of life. Early and ongoing diagnosis and treatment is required for this progressive disease. Lifestyle modifications can prevent or delay disease progression and improve symptoms. Limb-sparing endovascular interventions can restore circulation based on appropriate diagnostic testing to pinpoint vascular targets, and intervention must occur as early as possible to ensure optimal clinical outcomes. An algorithm for the diagnosis and management of PAD was developed to enable a collaborative approach between the family practice and primary care physician or internist and various specialists that may include a diabetologist, endocrinologist, smoking cessation expert, hypertension and lipid specialist, endovascular interventionalist, vascular surgeon, orthopedist, neurologist, nurse practitioner, podiatrist, wound healing expert, and/or others. A multidisciplinary team working together has the greatest chance of providing optimal care for the patient with PAD and ensuring ongoing surveillance of the patient's overall health, ultimately resulting in better quality of life and increased longevity for patients with PAD.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA ; Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Craig M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Associates, Mobile, AL, USA.
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Bunch
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Institute of the South, Lafayette General Medical Center, Lafayette, LA, USA.
authors.forename: Nick G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Cavros
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Medicine, PC Genesis Heart Institute, Davenport, IA, USA.
authors.forename: Eric J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Dippel
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008511:Medicine; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D010808:Physical Examination; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
keywords: diagnosis; endovascular intervention; peripheral arterial disease