Panvascular disease – Diagnosis and management

Publication date: Available online 15 February 2018 Source:Cor et Vasa Author(s): Katerina K. Naka, Victor Aboyans, Charalambos Vlachopoulos Panvascular disease (PVD) increases significantly the risk for cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death); the more sites affected, the greater the risk of a major cardiac event. Despite its high incidence and severe cardiovascular prognosis, PVD has still not been well studied. History of risk factors and co-morbidities, as well as a detailed physical examination, are mandatory in the initial screening and diagnostic work-up. The ankle-brachial index and various non-invasive imaging methods such as duplex ultrasound, computed tomography or magnetic resonance angiography are used for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis in various vascular beds, while digital subtraction angiography is currently used almost exclusively in association with endovascular procedures. Appropriate utilization of techniques is based on international guidelines and a multidisciplinary discussion for each case. Management of a patient diagnosed with PVD can be very complex. Secondary preventive measures and aggressive medical treatment are needed to reduce excess cardiovascular risk. Whether routine screening for atherosclerosis at various sites in the arterial tree in all or selected patients may alter treatment to improve outcome in these patients has not been shown. In the lack of hard evidence, individualized decision-maki...
Source: Cor et Vasa - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research