scholarly journals Antithrombotic Treatment in Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Gottsäter

Lower extremity arteries might be affected by atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or by embolization causing ischaemic symptoms. Patients with PAD often have widespread atherosclerosis, and progression of PAD is associated with increased risk for both other cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality. Peripheral arterial disease patients should therefore be offered both non-pharmacological and pharmacological secondary prevention to reduce the risk for future ischemic arterial complications. This review is focussed on the rationale for recommendations on antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatment in PAD. Asymptomatic PAD does not warrant either anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment, whereas patients with ischaemic lower extremity symptoms such as intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia caused by atherosclerosis should be offered platelet antiaggregation with either low dose aspirin or clopidogrel. Combined treatment with aspirin and low-dose of the direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) rivaroxaban should be considered and weighed against bleeding risk in symptomatic PAD patients considered at high risk for recurrent ischaemic events and in patients having undergone endovascular or open surgical intervention for PAD. Patiens with cardiogenic embolization to lower extremity arteries should be recommended anticoagulant treatment with either one of the DOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban) or warfarin.

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey A Kalbaugh ◽  
Anna Kucharska-Newton ◽  
Laura Loehr ◽  
Elizabeth Selvin ◽  
Aaron R Folsom ◽  
...  

Introduction: Lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects between 12% and 20% of Americans over the age of 65. PAD compromises quality of life, contributes a high burden of disability and its related health care costs exceed $4 billion/year, yet this preventable CVD outcome remains understudied. Aims: Assess the incidence of hospitalized PAD, and of the most severe form of PAD, critical limb ischemia (CLI), in middle-aged men and women, and evaluate their risk factors in a bi-ethnic, population-based cohort. We hypothesized that incidence of hospitalized PAD and CLI are higher in African Americans, and that modifiable atherosclerosis risk factors in middle age predict these sequelae of PAD. Methods: We analyzed data from 13,865 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study aged 45–64 without PAD at baseline (1987–89). Incident PAD and CLI events were identified using ICD-9 codes from active surveillance of all hospitalizations among cohort participants from 1987 through 2008. All estimates are incidence rates per 10,000 person-years; nominal statistical significance was achieved for all baseline characteristic comparisons reported. Results: There were 707 incident hospitalized PAD during a median of 18 years of follow-up (249,570 person-years). The overall age-adjusted incidence of PAD and limb-threatening CLI were 26.0 and 9.6 per 10,000 person-years, respectively. Incidence of hospitalized PAD was higher in African Americans than whites (34.7 vs. 23.2) and in men compared to women (32.4 vs. 26.7). Baseline characteristics associated with age-adjusted incident PAD (per 10,000 person-years) compared to their referent groups were diabetes (91.2 vs. 19.0), history of smoking (33.6 vs. 16.2), hypertension (42.6 vs. 18.6), coronary heart disease (81.4 vs. 24.1), and obesity (41.5 vs. 20.2). Incidence of CLI also was higher among African Americans (21.0 vs. 5.9) and in men (10.5 vs. 8.9 per 10,000 person-years). Baseline characteristics associated with incident CLI were similar to those for PAD. Conclusions: The absolute risk of hospitalized lower extremity PAD in this community-based cohort is of a magnitude similar to that of heart failure and of stroke. As modifiable factors are strongly predictive of the long-term risk of hospitalized PAD and CLI, particularly among African Americans, our results highlight the need for effective risk factor prevention and control.


2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (7) ◽  
pp. 527-533
Author(s):  
Mahesh Anantha-Narayanan ◽  
Azfar Bilal Sheikh ◽  
Sameer Nagpal ◽  
Kim G. Smolderen ◽  
Jeffrey Turner ◽  
...  

Background: There are limited data on outcomes of patients undergoing peripheral arterial disease (PAD) interventions who have comorbid CKD/ESRD versus those who do not have such comorbid condition. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze outcomes in this patient population. Methods: Five databases were searched for studies comparing outcomes of lower extremity PAD interventions for claudication and critical limb ischemia (CLI) in patients with CKD/ESRD versus non-CKD/non-ESRD from January 2000 to June 2019. Results: Our study included 16 observational studies with 44,138 patients. Mean follow-up was 48.9 ± 27.4 months. Major amputation was higher with CKD/ESRD compared with non-CKD/non-ESRD (odds ratio [OR 1.97] [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39–2.80], p = 0.001). Higher major amputations with CKD/ESRD versus non-CKD/non-ESRD were only observed when indication for procedure was CLI (OR 2.27 [95% CI 1.53–3.36], p < 0.0001) but were similar for claudication (OR 1.15 [95% CI 0.53–2.49], p = 0.72). The risk of early mortality was high with CKD/ESRD patients undergoing PAD interventions compared with non-CKD/non-ESRD (OR 2.55 [95% CI 1.65–3.96], p < 0.0001), which when stratified based on indication, remained higher with CLI (OR 3.14 [95% CI 1.80–5.48], p < 0.0001) but was similar with claudication (OR 1.83 [95% CI 0.90–3.72], p = 0.1). Funnel plot of included studies showed moderate bias. Conclusions: Patients undergoing lower extremity PAD interventions for CLI who also have comorbid CKD/ESRD have an increased risk of experiencing major amputations and early mortality. Randomized trials to understand outcomes of PAD interventions in this at-risk population are essential.


2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchel R. Stacy

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic disorder of non-coronary arteries that is associated with vascular stenosis and/or occlusion. PAD affecting the lower extremities is characterized by a variety of health-related consequences, including lifestyle-limiting intermittent claudication, ulceration of the limbs and/or feet, increased risk for lower extremity amputation, and increased mortality. The diagnosis of lower extremity PAD is typically established by using non-invasive tests such as the ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index, duplex ultrasound, and/or angiography imaging studies. While these common diagnostic tools provide hemodynamic and anatomical vascular assessments, the potential for non-invasive physiological assessment of the lower extremities has more recently emerged through the use of magnetic resonance- and nuclear medicine-based approaches, which can provide insight into the functional consequences of PAD-related limb ischemia. This perspectives article specifically highlights and discusses the emerging applications of clinical nuclear medicine techniques for molecular imaging investigations in the setting of lower extremity PAD.


2017 ◽  
Vol 158 (6) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endre Kolossváry ◽  
Zoltán Bánsághi ◽  
Gábor Viktor Szabó ◽  
Zoltán Járai ◽  
Katalin Farkas

Abstract: “Diabetic foot” as definition covers a multifactorial clinical condition. According to the recent epidemiological data, the role of lower limb ischemia is getting more influential over other pathological causes, like neuropathy, infections and bone or soft tissue deformity. In diabetes, vascular disease leads to increased risk for leg ulcers and minor or major amputations. The traditional diagnostic tools for recognition of peripheral arterial disease have limited value because of diabetes specific clinical manifestations. Available vascular centers with special expertise and diagnostic tools are the prerequisite for efficient diagnosis supporting timely recognition of peripheral arterial disease. In course of treatment of diabetic foot with ischemic origin, beyond effective medical treatment revascularization (open vascular surgery or endovascular procedures) has paramount importance for prevention of limb loss. Vascular teams of vascular specialists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologist in dedicated centers in multidisciplinary cooperation with other professions represent public health issue in effective prevention. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(6), 203–211.


2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 269-276
Author(s):  
Daria Zavgorodnyaya ◽  
Tamara B Knight ◽  
Mitchell J Daley ◽  
Pedro G Teixeira

Abstract Purpose Evidence on the use of antithrombotic pharmacotherapy in patients undergoing revascularization of lower extremities for symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is reviewed. Summary Individuals with PAD can experience leg pain, intermittent claudication, critical limb ischemia, and acute limb ischemia. In such patients, revascularization may be indicated to improve the quality of life and to prevent amputations. Antithrombotic therapy is often intensified in the postrevascularization period to prevent restenosis of the index artery and to counteract the prothrombotic state induced by the intervention. Therapeutic modalities include dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), anticoagulation, a combination of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy, and addition of cilostazol to single antiplatelet therapy. Subgroup analyses of data from randomized clinical trials provided low-quality evidence for the use of DAPT in patients with a below-knee prosthetic bypass graft and anticoagulation for those with a venous bypass graft. Cilostazol, when added to aspirin therapy, has been shown to prevent index vessel reocclusion after an endovascular intervention in patients at low risk for thrombosis in several small randomized trials. Conclusion There is a considerable paucity of high-quality evidence on the optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients undergoing lower extremity revascularization, with no particular therapy shown to consistently improve patient outcomes. The decision to initiate intensified antithrombotic therapy should include a close examination of its risk–benefit profile. The demonstrated benefit of such treatment is restricted to the prevention of index artery reocclusion, while an increased risk of bleeding may lead to significant morbidity and mortality.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tseng ◽  
S Bhatt ◽  
M Girardo ◽  
D Liedl ◽  
P Wennberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for many atherosclerotic vascular pathologies including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with PAD often have comorbid conditions that require complex antithrombotic therapy, i.e. combined antiplatelet and anticoagulation. Methods All adult patients undergoing ankle brachial index (ABI) measurements were included in the study. ABI values between 1.00 and 1.40 were considered normal, and values below 1.00 or above 1.40 were considered PAD. Demographic, comorbidity and outcome data were obtained using diagnostic codes from the electronic health record. Three medication classes were analyzed: aspirin, non-aspirin oral antiplatelets (e.g. P2Y12 inhibitors) and oral anticoagulants (warfarin and the direct oral anticoagulants). Medication use was determined for patients who had been on a medication for at least one year. Cox proportional hazard analysis for the time to first bleeding event was analyzed. Bleeding was defined as any bleeding requiring medical evaluation (including clinically-relevant non-major bleeding and major bleeding). Results In all, 40,144 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 66±15, 43% female). Patients with PAD were more likely to be on double therapy (one antiplatelet with anticoagulation) (28% vs 19%) and triple therapy (dual antiplatelet with anticoagulation) (10% vs 4%). Unadjusted hazard ratios for bleeding risk showed increased risk of bleeding for patients with PAD (1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.29), though the association is no longer present after adjustment for antithrombotic therapy. Adjusting for age, sex and PAD class, compared to no antithrombotic therapy, there was increased risk of bleeding for monotherapy (1.91, 95% CI: 1.61–2.26), double therapy (3.40, 95% CI: 2.89–4.00) and triple therapy (5.00, 95% CI: 4.21–5.96). Among medications, aspirin and anticoagulant use was independently associated with the greatest increase in risk of bleeding. Conclusion Patients in PAD are at increased risk of bleeding secondary to antithrombotic therapy. Complex antithrombotic therapy with double or triple therapy confer additional bleeding risk, particularly regimens containing aspirin and oral anticoagulants. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R Poudel ◽  
S Kirana ◽  
D Stoyanova ◽  
K.P Mellwig ◽  
D Hinse ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Elevated lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)] levels are an independent, genetic, and causal factor for cardiovascular disease and associated with myocardial infarction (MI). Although the association between circulating levels of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) is well established, its role in risk of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) remains unclear. PAD affects over 236 million individuals and follows ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD) as the third leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity worldwide. LP (a) is genetically determined, stable throughout life and yet refractory to drug therapy. While 30 mg/dl is considered the upper normal value for LP (a) in central Europe, extremely high LP (a) levels (&gt;150mg/dl) are rare in the general population. The aim of our study was to analyse the correlation between lipoprotein (a) [LP (a)] levels and an incidence of PAD in high-risk patients. Patients and methods We reviewed the LP (a) concentrations of 52.898 consecutive patients admitted to our cardiovascular center between January 2004 and December 2014. Of these, 579 patients had LP (a) levels above 150 mg/dl (mean 181.45±33.1mg/dl). In the control collective LP (a) was &lt;30mg/dl (n=350). Other atherogenic risk factors in this group were HbA1c 6.58±1.65%, low density lipoprotein (LDL) 141.99±43.76 mg/dl, and body mass index 27.81±5.61. 54.40% were male, 26.07% were smokers, 93.2% had hypertension, and 24% had a family history of cardiovascular diseases. More than 82.6% were under statins. The mean glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 69.13±24.8 ml/min [MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease)]. Results 45.00% (n=261) of the patients with LP (a) &gt;150mg/dl had PAD. The prevalence of PAD in patients with LP (a) &lt;30mg/dl in our control collective was 15.8%. (P- Value 0.001). Patients with LP (a) &gt;150mg/dl had a significantly increased risk for PAD (Odds ratio 4.36, 95% CI 2.94–6.72, p: 0.001). 19.1% of patients were re-vascularized by percutaneous angioplasty (PTA) and 7.09% of patients had to undergo peripheral vascular bypass (PVB). Mean LP (a) level in patients with PAD was 182.6±31.61. Conclusion Elevated LP (a) levels above 150 mg/dl are associated with a significantly increased risk of PAD in our collective and it confirms our hypothesis. Over one fourth of these patients had severe PAD and requiring revascularization therapy. We need more prospective studies to confirm our findings. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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