Revision as of 18:35, 7 November 2012 by Vishnu Vardhan Serla(talk | contribs)(/* Thrombolysis for Acute and Chronic Limb Ischemia (DO NOT EDIT){{cite journal |author=Hirsch AT, Haskal ZJ, Hertzer NR, Bakal CW, Creager MA, Halperin JL, Hiratzka LF, Murphy WR, Olin JW, Puschett JB, Rosenfield KA, Sacks D, Stanley JC, Taylor L...)
Despite its prevalence and cardiovascular risk implications, only 25 percent of patients with peripheral arterial disease are actively being treated[1]. The medical therapy aims to reduce the atherosclerotic risk factors which include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and smoking, to improve walking time and distance and to prevent the progression of the peripheral arterial disease and the need of invasive surgical procedures. All patients with peripheral arterial disease should be prescribed an antiplatelet agent[2].
Medical Therapy
Medical Therapy for Intermittent Claudication
Reduction in Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors
A regular walking program four times a week for six month results in an average of 6.5 minutes improvement in the walking time.
It opens up collateral circulation.
It reduces cardiovascular mortality.
It improves quality of life.
Cilostazol
Cilostazol is a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor.
It is FDA approved.
Cilostazol is not administered to all PAD cases but rather to selected cases where regular walking program has failed to improve the walking time and capacity.
The moderate consumption of alcohol has been found to be associated with a reduction of the risk of PVD by almost one-third compared to those who do not drink alcohol.[3]
Medical Therapy for Critical Limb Ischemia
Patients with critical limb ischemia must be planned for endovascular or surgical intervention; nevertheless, they also need medical therapy similar to that of patients with claudication, aiming at:
Reducing the atherosclerotic risk factors
Improving exercise tolerance
Preventing progression and re-occurrence of symptomatic PAD lesions through treatment with antiplatelets
In addition, patients presenting with severe ulcers and evidence of infections should be administered systemic antibiotics and should be received an appropriate wound care.[4]
Medical Therapy for Acute Occlusion
Urgent measures should be taken to ensure blood flow and protect the limb:
Send sample for pathologic examination (myxoma may be present)
2011 and 2005 ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease (Lower Extremity, Renal, Mesenteric, and Abdominal Aortic) (DO NOT EDIT)[4][5]
Antiplatelet and Antithrombotic Drugs (DO NOT EDIT)[5]
"2.Aspirin, typically in daily doses of 75 to 325 mg, is recommended as safe and effective antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of MI, stroke, or vascular death in individuals with symptomatic atherosclerotic lower extremity PAD, including those with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia, prior lower extremity revascularization (endovascular or surgical), or prior amputation for lower extremity ischemia.[7][8](Level of Evidence: B) (changed from A to B)"
"3.Clopidogrel (75 mg per day) is recommended as a safe and effective alternative antiplatelet therapy to aspirin to reduce the risk of MI, ischemic stroke, or vascular death in individuals with symptomatic atherosclerotic lower extremity PAD, including those with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia, prior lower extremity revascularization (endovascular or surgical), or prior amputation for lower extremity ischemia.[6](Level of Evidence: B)"
"1. In the absence of any other proven indication for warfarin, its addition to antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular ischemic events in individuals with atherosclerotic lower extremity PAD is of no benefit and is potentially harmful due to increased risk of major bleeding.[9](Level of Evidence: B)(changed from C to B)"
"1. Antiplatelet therapy can be useful to reduce the risk of MI, stroke, or vascular death in asymptomatic individuals with an ABI less than or equal to 0.90.[8](Level of Evidence: C)"
"1. The usefulness of antiplatelet therapy to reduce the risk of MI, stroke, or vascular death in asymptomatic individuals with borderline abnormal ABI, defined as 0.91 to 0.99, is not well established.[10][11](Level of Evidence: A)"
"2. The combination of aspirin and clopidogrel may be considered to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with symptomatic atherosclerotic lower extremity PAD, including those with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia, prior lower extremity revascularization (endovascular or surgical), or prior amputation for lower extremity ischemia and who are not at increased risk of bleeding and who are at high perceived cardiovascular risk.[12][13](Level of Evidence: B)"
Medical and Pharmacological Treatment for Chronic Limb Ischemia (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. Catheter-based thrombolysis is an effective and beneficial therapy and is indicated for patients with acute limb ischemia (Rutherford categories I and IIa) of less than 14 days’ duration. (Level of Evidence: A)"
"1. Mechanical thrombectomy devices can be used as adjunctive therapy for acute limb ischemia due to peripheral arterial occlusion. (Level of Evidence: B)"
"1. Catheter-based thrombolysis or thrombectomy may be considered for patients with acute limb ischemia (Rutherford category IIb) of more than 14 days’ duration.(Level of Evidence: B)"
Prostaglandins use in Chronic Limb Ischemia (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. Parenteral administration of PGE-1 or iloprost for 7 to 28 days may be considered to reduce ischemic pain and facilitate ulcer healing in patients with CLI, but its efficacy is likely to be limited to a small percentage of patients. (Level of Evidence: A)"
Angiogenic Growth Factors use in Chronic Limb Ischemia (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. The efficacy of angiogenic growth factor therapy for treatment of CLI is not well established and is best investigated in the context of a placebo-controlled trial. (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1. Treatment with a hydroxymethyl glutaryl (HMG) coenzyme-A reductase inhibitor (statin) medication is indicated for all patients with PAD to achieve a target LDL cholesterol level of less than 100 mg per dL.(Level of Evidence: B)"
"1. Treatment with an HMG coenzyme-A reductase inhibitor (statin) medication to achieve a target LDL cholesterol level of less than 70 mg per dL is reasonable for patients with lower extremity PAD at very high risk of ischemic events. (Level of Evidence: B)"
"2. Treatment with a fibric acid derivative can be useful for patients with PAD and low HDL cholesterol, normal LDL cholesterol, and elevated triglycerides. (Level of Evidence: C)"
"1. Antihypertensive therapy should be administered to hypertensive patients with lower extremity PAD to achieve a goal of less than 140 mm Hg systolic over 90 mm Hg diastolic (nondiabetics) or less than 130 mm Hg systolic over 80 mm Hg diastolic (diabetics and individuals with chronic renal disease) to reduce the risk of MI, stroke, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular death. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"2. Beta-adrenergic blocking drugs are effective antihypertensive agents and are not contraindicated in patients with PAD. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"1. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors is reasonable for symptomatic patients with lower extremity PAD to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. (Level of Evidence: B). "
"1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors may be considered for patients with asymptomatic lower extremity PAD to reduce the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. (Level of Evidence: C). "
"1. Proper foot care, including use of appropriate footwear, chiropody/podiatric medicine, daily foot inspection, skin cleansing, and use of topical moisturizing creams, should be encouraged and skin lesions and ulcerations should be addressed urgently in all diabetic patients with lower extremity PAD. (Level of Evidence: B)"
"1. Treatment of diabetes in individuals with lower extremity PAD by administration of glucose control therapies to reduce the hemoglobin A1C to less than 7% can be effective to reduce microvascular complications and potentially improve cardiovascular outcomes. (Level of Evidence: C)"
Homocysteine-Lowering Drugs in PAD Patients (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. The effectiveness of the therapeutic use of folic acid and B12 vitamin supplements in individuals with lower extremity PAD and homocysteine levels greater than 14 micromoles per liter is not well established. (Level of Evidence: C)"
Exercise and Lower Extremity PAD Rehabilitation (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. A program of supervised exercise training is recommended as an initial treatment modality for patients with intermittent claudication. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"2. Supervised exercise training should be performed for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes, in sessions performed at least 3 times per week for a minimum of 12 weeks. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"1. The usefulness of unsupervised exercise programs is not well established as an effective initial treatment modality for patients with intermittent claudication. (Level of Evidence: B). "
"1. Cilostazol (100 mg orally 2 times per day) is indicated as an effective therapy to improve symptoms and increase walking distance in patients with lower extremity PAD and intermittent claudication (in the absence of heart failure). (Level of Evidence: A). "
"2. A therapeutic trial of cilostazol should be considered in all patients with lifestyle-limiting claudication (in the absence of heart failure). (Level of Evidence: A). "
Pentoxifylline use in Claudication (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. Pentoxifylline (400 mg 3 times per day) may be considered as second-line alternative therapy to cilostazol to improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication. (Level of Evidence: A)"
"2. The clinical effectiveness of pentoxifylline as therapy for claudication is marginal and not well established. (Level of Evidence: C)"
Other Proposed Medical Therapies in Claudication (DO NOT EDIT)[4]
"1. Oral vasodilator prostaglandins such as beraprost and iloprost are not effective medications to improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"2. Vitamin E is not recommended as a treatment for patients with intermittent claudication. (Level of Evidence: C). "
"3. Chelation (e.g., ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) is not indicated for treatment of intermittent claudication and may have harmful adverse effects. (Level of Evidence: A). "
"1. The effectiveness of L-arginine for patients with intermittent claudication is not well established. (Level of Evidence: B)"
"2. The effectiveness of propionyl-L-carnitine as a therapy to improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication is not well established. (Level of Evidence: B)"
"3. The effectiveness of ginkgo biloba to improve walking distance for patients with intermittent claudication is marginal and not well established. (Level of Evidence: B)"