Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment

<p>Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment</p> <p>Guest: Robert D. McBane, II M.D.</p> <p>Host: Stephen Kopecky, M.D. (<a href='http://twitter.com/DrSteveKopecky'>@DrSteveKopecky</a>)</p> <p>Most patients, who have Peripheral Artery Disease, do not experience the symptoms right away. However, patients affected with PAD will likely experience symptoms such as pain in the legs during walking and loss of hair. PAD limits the blood flow from the vessels to the heart. Without the proper treatment, the effects of PAD can lead to amputation of the foot or legs. Major amputation can potentially lower the life expectancy of patients that are affected with PAD.</p> <p>Joining us today to discuss Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment is Robert D. McBane, II M.D. professor of medicine in the department of cardiovascular medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.</p> <p>Specific topics discussed:</p> <ul><li>How do you define PAD?</li> <li>Is invasive or noninvasive imaging diagnosis required? Or can be based on ABI?  Or is physical exam adequate with a bruit in the carotids, renals, or femorals?</li> <li>In PAD, are risk factors the same as in cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease?</li> <li>Why is having PAD a greater risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality than coronary artery disease or cerebrovascular disease?</li> <li>Do any risk factors predominate in PAD? (e.g., is smoking more prevalent?)</li> <li>Are you checking lipoprotein a in patients with PAD at an early age?</li> <li>Has treatment of risk factors been shown to significantly reduce CV morbidity or mortality in patients with PAD?</li> <li>When is ABI indicated and when is toe-brachial index indicated? (What is the definition of noncompressible vessels?)</li> <li>When should we do exercise ABI?</li> <li>For treatment, other than treating the risk factors of lipids, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, or other treatments indicated such as anti-platelet and if so his aspirin adequate, what dose, or other anti-platelet agents indicated?</l