Clinical characteristics, risk factors, and medical treatment of 561 patients with peripheral arterial disease followed in an academic vascular surgery clinic.

The charts of all 561 patients (69% men and 31% women, mean age 71 +/- 10 years) with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) followed in an academic vascular surgery clinic were reviewed. Coexistent coronary artery disease (CAD) was present in 364 of 561 patients (65%). Of the 561 patients with PAD, 442 (79%) were current or exsmokers, 385 (69%) had hypertension, 225 (40%) had diabetes, 358 (64%) had a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol > or =100 mg/dL, and 228 (41%) had a serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL. Cilostazol or pentoxifylline was given to 301 of 301 patients (100%) with intermittent claudication. Aspirin or clopidogrel was given to 501 of 561 patients (89%) with PAD. Statins were given to 282 of 358 patients (79%) with PAD and an increased serum LDL cholesterol. If CAD was present, beta blockers were given to 301 of 364 patients (83%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers to 303 of 364 patients (83%).