Peripheral artery disease

What you need to know• Most people with peripheral artery disease are asymptomatic • Peripheral artery disease is associated with a high risk of vascular complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular dementia, renovascular disease, and mesenteric disease• Few patients with intermittent claudication develop limb-threatening complications (1-3% in 5 years)• Management of risk factors-including smoking, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia-is key to reducing the risk of vascular complications• Patients with critical limb ischaemia are at high risk of limb amputation and premature death