Arterial Disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when leg arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque, a condition that raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, leg amputation and death. This condition affects 8-12 million Americans,¹ as compared to 8.4 million Americans who have a history of cancer.² With only about 25 percent of PAD patients undergoing treatment³, it is a disease that is largely under-diagnosed and under-treated.

PAD can be characterized by a reduction in blood flow to the lower extremities due to plaque build-up in the leg arteries (also known as atherosclerosis). Plaque is made up of deposits of fats, cholesterol and other substances. Plaque formations can grow large enough to significantly reduce blood flow through an artery.

When leg arteries are hardened and clogged, blood flow to the legs and feet is reduced. The blockage remains in the peripheral arteries and can cause pain, changes in skin color and temperature, sores or ulcers and difficulty walking. If left untreated, PAD can lead to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), a condition where not enough blood is being delivered to the leg to keep the tissue alive. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and lead to amputation.

General Facts about PAD

• PAD affects 8 - 12 million people in the U.S.¹
  
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• An estimated 40% of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) patients have symptomatic PAD.⁴
• Patients with PAD have a higher 5-year mortality rate as those patients with breast cancer.⁵
• Approximately 40% of amputees die within 2 years of amputation.⁶
• An estimated 150,000 patients require lower-limb amputation for critical leg ischemia in the Unites States annually.⁷
  
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1. ”Peripheral Arterial Disease Detection, Awareness, and Treatment in Primary Care”, Alan T. Hirsch, MD et al. JAMA, 2001; 286:1317-1324
2. “Cancer Facts and Figures 2000”, American Cancer Society
3. “The Importance of Increasing Public and Physician Awareness of Peripheral Arterial Disease”, Gary J. Becker, MD et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol 2002; 13[1]:7–11
4. ”The Significance of Lower Extremity Peripheral Arterial Disease”, Robert S. Dieter, MD et al. Clin. Cardiol. 25, 3-10 (2002)
5. Vascular Disease Foundation and the American Cancer Society
6. “Mortality and Hospitalization in Patients After Amputation”, Christopher J. Schofield, MB, CHB et al. Diabetes Care 29:2252-2256, 2006
7. “Critical Limb Ischemia: Nothing To Give at the Office?”, Robert M. Schainfeld, DO et al. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:442-444