Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves atherosclerosis mainly in the extremities, especially in the legs and feet that lead to ischemia. Untreated, PAD can progress to critical limb ischemia (CLI), also called chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which will lead to foot or leg amputation. The mortality rate for these CLI amputees is 70% within three years. There is currently an epidemic of PAD and CLI in the U.S. The majority of patients are defined by health disparities concentrated in the Black, Latino, Native American populations in both rural and low-income urban areas. A large number of PAD patients have other comorbities, with diabetes being one a primary issue.

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CLI revascularization techniques are more cost-effective, associated with longer survival than amputation

Revascularization techniques to treat primary critical limb ischemia (CLI) may be more cost-effective and associated with longer survival than primary major amputation, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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USPSTF: Evidence insufficient to assess benefits, harms of using ABI to screen for PAD

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a Grade I recommendation for screening peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with the ankle-brachial index (ABI), indicating current evidence is insufficient to recommend screening without signs or symptoms of disease.

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FDA approves more lengths of Medtronic’s drug-coated balloon for PAD

The 200 and 250 millimeter lengths of Medtronic’s IN.PACT Admiral drug-coated balloon gained FDA approval to treat long superficial artery (SFA) lesions in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), the company announced June 15.

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Exercise interventions for PAD may require personal support

A randomized trial published April 24 in JAMA suggests patients with lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) can’t be expected to improve walking performance on their own, even with the aid of wearable activity trackers and telephone coaching sessions.