Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

Abstract

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is a disorder of the peripheral arteries comprising all human arterial beds except for the coronary circulation. The interest in detection and dedicated treatment options for PAD patients has increased substantially during recent years. Given that PAD is a powerful indicator of systemic atherosclerosis and, independent of symptoms, is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke as well as a six times greater likelihood of death, the prevalence and demographic distribution of measurable PAD becomes relevant....