Minimally Invasive Procedures can Help Peripheral Artery Disease

Many who deal with the symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD) may face certain limitations throughout their life. This circulatory problem that narrows the arteries also reduces blood flow to the limbs, and can even reduce blood flow to the heart and brain.

Yet a recent study shows that for those dealing with the severe symptoms of the issue, a minimally invasive procedure used to unclog arteries has been particularly successful in men.

About 8 million Americans are estimated to suffer from PAD, yet awareness on symptoms of the health issue is very low among both men and women.

"We found that women had excellent outcomes compared to men, even though they were older and had more severe disease," said senior study author P. Michael Grossman, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center and director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System, via a press release. 

Statistics show that women are at a higher risk of amputation with the health issue, and more likely to suffer from leg pain at rest or ulceration, known as limb ischemia.

Yet fewer women complained of leg discomfort, fatigue or cramping with activity known as claudication, according to the study.

"The reasons for differences in symptoms are unclear, and deserve further study. It does indicate that we need to be vigilant in asking women about leg discomfort and screening women for PAD," Grossman added, via the release. 

For the study, researchers from Michigan's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Cardiovascular Consortium PVI registry collected data from 16 Michigan hospitals regarding percutaneous peripheral vascular intervention.

Out of a total of 12,379 patients who had lower extremity PVI from 2004 to 2009, findings showed that the success rate of PVI was 79 percent for women and 81 percent for men.

"The data suggests women may benefit to a greater degree with an invasive percutaneous strategy for the management of PAD, particularly if complications can be avoided," said lead study author Elizabeth Jackson, M.D., cardiologist and director of the University of MichiganWomen's Heart Program, via the release.

Study findings also showed the women were less likely than men to be prescribed cholesterol-lowering statins and antiplatelet therapy before the procedure.

 "More could be done to ensure all patients with PAD are prescribed these medications, particularly women," Jackson says.  

As some patients may benefit from minimally invasive procedures used to unclog the arteries and restore blood circulation., certain lifestyle changes may be essential, including exercise, medication, healthy diet and no smoking. 

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.