Peripheral Artery Disease in the Lower Limbs: The Importance of Secondary Risk Prevention for Improved Long-term Prognosis

Background: Patients with lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at high risk of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity along with limb loss. PAD is underdiagnosed in the community and presents a missed opportunity to prescribe evidence-based secondary prevention therapy.

Objective: The aim of this article is to summarise key updates in the management of patients with PAD, with particular reference to newly published guidelines.

Discussion: PAD continues to be a major contributor to the mortality and morbidity of patients with atherosclerosis in Australia. For patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia, revascularisation remains the mainstay of limb salvage, and expedited access to vascular surgery assessment is necessary. Both prescription of, and adherence to, evidence-based secondary prevention therapy is low. A greater emphasis on cardiovascular risk factor modification for all patients with PAD is required to improve long-term outcomes. General practitioners and vascular surgeons can work collaboratively to provide patient-centred, effective care to patients with PAD.