Development of Peripheral Artery Disease
Introduction: Data on peripheral artery disease (PAD) development and progression in the Czech Republic is not available. Among our patients with this diagnosis, we selected those followed at our clinic for more than 1 year.
Results: The group included 198 patients; 40% were women. Mean age was 68 (+9,5) years. Thirty-one percent had diabetes mellitus and 64% were smokers. Two percent had undergone an amputation. Revascularization (predominantly endovascular procedures) had been performed in 15.6%. When admitted to our care, claudication was present in 72% and chronic limb threatening ischemia (CLTI) in 3%. Mean follow-up duration was 6.1 years. A worsening of claudication was observed in 34% and CLTI developed in 3.5%. An amputation was needed in 2% of the patients. Clinical deterioration was observed in 28%, especially smokers. Patients without claudication (27.8%) were older, more of them were women (56%), they included fewer smokers and had higher ankle brachial index (ABI) values. Their rate of clinical deterioration was similar to that in patients with claudication. Lower limb revascularization procedures (predominantly endovascular) were performed in 16.7% of the patients after being admitted to our care, and later in additional 15%. In total, revascularization was performed in 28% of the patients. These patients were younger, they had a history of a cerebrovascular accident less commonly and their prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus was lower, both lower limbs were involved more commonly, and naturally, clinical worsening was observed more commonly in these patients.
Conclusion: Among our patients with PAD followed for more than 6 year on average, claudication worsening occurred in 34% and CLTI developed in 3.5% of the patients. An amputation was needed in 2%. The course of the disease in patients with and without claudication was similar.