Endovascular Interventions for Infra-Inguinal Arterial Disease: Collecting Evidence to Expand Indications

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis, with a prevalence of 29% in those older than 70 years or aged 50-70 years who are either smokers or diabetic [1,2]. The majority of persons with this condition are asymptomatic, and less a fifth report typical intermittent claudication [3]. The literature shows us that the risk of limb loss for those who do not have diabetes is 2% or less [4] and, also, that this risk increases three-fold in patients with diabetes requiring pharmacological therapy (oral or insulin) [5].