J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2002 Dec;6(4):261-272.

Intermittent Claudication in Peripheral Arterial Disease

• Pyun WB

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease, which is caused by atherosclerotic occlusion of the arteries to the legs, is an important manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. The disorder affects old people and should be considered as serious condition because our people getting older. To evaluate the patients who complain of intermittent claudication, throughftil history taking, palpation of all peripheral arterial pulses, checking the ABI by Doppler technique were important and angiography will confirm the peripheral arterial disease. The risk factors for intermittent claudication were diabetes, smoking, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, which should be modified as secondary prevention for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The outcomes for treatment of intermittent claudication should documented objective status, symptoms, hemodynamic status, patency if the revascularized vessel, and quality of life. All patients with peripheral arterial disease(whether symptomatic or asymptomatic) should be considered for treatment with low-dose aspirin, or other approved antiplatelet(unless contraindicated), to reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Though no drug has effectiveness for intermittent claudication, percutaneous intervention and surgical bypass grafting were two majot treatment modalities.

MeSH Terms

Angiography
Arteries
Aspirin
Atherosclerosis
Hemodynamics
Humans
Hyperlipidemias
Hypertension
Intermittent Claudication*
Leg
Mortality
Palpation
Peripheral Arterial Disease*
Quality of Life
Risk Factors
Secondary Prevention
Smoke
Smoking
Transplants
Aspirin
Smoke