What are the treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

From the Guidelines

Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

The primary treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) include antiplatelet therapy, lipid-lowering therapy, antihypertensive therapy, management of diabetes, and smoking cessation to prevent major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events.

• Effective medical therapies for patients with PAD should be prescribed, including single antiplatelet therapy and antithrombotic therapy, such as rivaroxaban (2.5 mg twice daily) combined with low-dose aspirin (81 mg daily) 1.
• Structured exercise is a core component of care for patients with PAD, including supervised exercise therapy and community-based programs, which can improve walking performance and quality of life (QOL) 1.
• Revascularization (endovascular, surgical, or hybrid) should be used to prevent limb loss in those with chronic limb-threatening ischemia and can be used to improve QOL and functional status in patients with claudication not responsive to medical therapy and structured exercise 1.
• Foot care is crucial for patients with PAD across all clinical subsets, ranging from preventive care and patient education to advanced care in the setting of chronic limb-threatening ischemia 1.
• Dual antiplatelet therapy with a P2Y12 antagonist and low-dose aspirin may be reasonable for at least 1 to 6 months after endovascular revascularization for PAD 1.
• Lipid-lowering therapy, such as high-intensity statin, should be prescribed to reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and major adverse limb events for patients with PAD 1.
• Optimal medical treatment, including lifestyle measures and pharmacological treatment, is recommended for all patients with PAD 1.

From the Research

Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)

The treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can be categorized into lifestyle modifications, medical therapies, and surgical interventions.

• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Smoking cessation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Supervised exercise therapy 2, 3, 5
  • Healthy diet 6
  • Weight loss 6
• Medical therapies:
  • Statin drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to reduce blood pressure 2, 5
  • Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel to prevent blood clots 2, 3, 5
  • Cilostazol to improve leg symptoms 2, 3
  • Antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure 4, 6
  • Antidiabetic agents to control diabetes mellitus 4, 6
• Surgical interventions:
  • Revascularization to improve blood flow to the affected limb 3, 5
  • Surgical revascularization for patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication who have an inadequate response to medical therapies 5