Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care

The pharmacological management of Peripheral Artery Disease includes cilostazol, which treats intermittent claudication by inhibiting platelet aggregation and promoting vasodilation.

Antiplatelet agents such as clopidogrel help prevent thromboembolism, while pentoxifylline reduces fibrinogen concentration, platelet adhesiveness, and blood viscosity.

Additionally, a supervised exercise program involving 30-45 minutes of walking or cycling three times a week and a low-calorie diet for overweight individuals focuses on sustained weight loss.

Interventional radiology procedures include percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, which uses a balloon-tipped catheter to enlarge blocked arteries, and the placement of stents to keep them open.

Atherectomy, including methods like laser atherectomy, uses ultraviolet energy to break down the atheroma.

Cryoplasty combines percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with cold therapy to reduce smooth muscle cell activity and minimize restenosis.

Surgical options include peripheral artery bypass, which redirects blood flow using an autogenous vein or synthetic graft, and endarterectomy, which removes obstructive plaque by opening the artery.