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A major problem in patients with claudication is not only the impairment of their walking ability but also the increased risk of cardiovascular complications. A dual treatment approach must therefore be adopted. Firstly the symptoms of PAD must be treated, and secondly action on the high comorbidity and mortality rates must be included in the overall strategy. The treatment of PAD thus entails
- Reducing or eliminating the risk factors
- Treating concomitant diseases
- Walking and vascular training (ergotherapy)
- Drug therapy
- Invasive treatment
The symptom-based treatment aim in stage I is to prevent the disease from progressing, in stage II to improve the claudication distance and in stages III and IV to preserve the extremities. |
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Memo:
There are no studies which show that invasive treatment in stage II (dilatation, operation) reduces the incidence of deterioration to stage III and IV. It has however been shown that invasive measures and drug treatment in stage III and IV have a beneficial effect on the amputation rate and the mortality of these patients. |
