OBJECTIVES: To analyze the disease burden and inequalities of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (LEPAD) among people aged 40 and above in the Belt and Road partner countries from 1990 to 2021. METHODS: Data were retrieved from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. The age-standardized prevalence rates, mortality rates, and the annual rate of years lived with disability (YLDs) of LEPAD were analyzed. Trends were measured using the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index were used to quantify the absolute and relative inequalities. RESULTS: In 2021, the age-standardized prevalence and mortality rates of LEPAD were 3168.26/10⁵ and 3.09/10⁵, increasing by 4.30% and 19.31% compared to 1990, while YLDs rates decreased by 4.00%. Females had higher age-standardized prevalence and YLDs rates, while males had higher mortality rates. The EAPC for prevalence rates was slightly higher in males (0.22%) than in females (0.17%); while the EAPC of age-standardized mortality rate was 2.02% for females, compared to 1.45% for males. From 1990 to 2021, the age-standardized YLDs rates decreased from 16.23/10⁵ to 15.58/10⁵, with a faster decline in females (－0.12%) than in males (－0.06%). LEPAD prevalence varied across countries, with higher burden in Europe and faster growth in Gulf states. Higher socio-demographic index countries had higher prevalence. Inequity improved, with the SII at 52.90/10⁵ and concentration index at 0.038 in 2021. Gender disparities persisted, with concentration index increased to 0.058 in females and reduced to －0.026 in males. CONCLUSIONS LEPAD prevalence and mortality among people aged 40 and above in the Belt and Road partner countries increased, while YLDs rates decreased from 1990 to 2021. Significant differences among people exist depending on gender and country, highlighting the need for enhanced screening, health education, and shared public health strategies across the Belt and Road partner countries.
Humans ; Peripheral Arterial Disease/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; Prevalence ; Lower Extremity/blood supply* ; Global Burden of Disease ; Cost of Illness

Peripheral arterial disease is an arteriosclerotic disease that can affect the arteries of the whole body except the coronary arteries and the aorta. In general, disease of the descending aorta, iliac artery, and lower limb arteries below the renal artery is referred to as peripheral artery disease (PAD) or lower extremity artery disease. PAD is highly associated with ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and mortality. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for a variety of cardiovascular diseases, especially PAD. Recent studies have shown that PAD patients with DM have a significantly higher rate of major adverse cardiovascular events, all-cause mortality, and limb amputation compared with patients with PAD alone. To prevent and manage various complications of patients with DM, aggressive diagnosis and management and treatment of PAD play an important role in prevention of complications threatening quality of life such as cardiovascular disease and limb amputation.
Amputation ; Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Arteries ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cerebrovascular Disorders ; Coronary Vessels ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Extremities ; Humans ; Iliac Artery ; Lower Extremity ; Mortality ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Quality of Life ; Renal Artery ; Risk Factors

Epidemiologic studies have revealed diabetes mellitus is an important determining factor not only for the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) but also for the severity of PAD. As PAD is closely related to mortality and morbidity in individuals with diabetes as well as the general population, the primary prevention for PAD is very important. Age, disease duration, the level of hyperglycemia, blood pressure, and smoking status are independent risk factors for development of PAD in diabetic patients, and management of those risk factors might be an effective tool for reducing PAD burden.
Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Epidemiologic Studies ; Epidemiology ; Humans ; Hyperglycemia ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Primary Prevention ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and diabetes increase the risk of significant morbidity and mortality and can affect quality of life. PAD is a progressive disease, and the presence of diabetes mellitus increases the risk of adverse outcomes among patients with PAD. Diabetes patients should undergo an initial screening for PAD that evaluates walking speed, leg fatigue, claudication, and pedal pulses. Healthcare providers should discuss with their patients controllable risk factors for PAD that can be modified. A comprehensive care plan for patients with PAD and diabetes mellitus is important and may include smoking cessation, structured exercise therapy, foot care, glycemic control and management of other cardiovascular risk factors (weight management, diet, and control of blood pressure and cholesterol). PAD with diabetes mellitus is a lifelong chronic medical condition, and prompt identification and treatment of PAD are crucial. Patient education is needed to prevent complications and to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Education ; Exercise Therapy ; Fatigue ; Foot ; Health Education ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Leg ; Life Style ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Patient Education as Topic ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Quality of Life ; Risk Factors ; Smoking Cessation ; Walking

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) represents one of the most common emergent scenarios encountered by a vascular specialist. Despite expedient revascularization, high rates of limb loss are reported along with high mortality rates which are second only to ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. Surgical revascularization is standard of care. Endovascular techniques as an alternative have emerged to be appropriate first line therapy when addressing the threatened limb. We review the etiology and classification of ALI and current endovascular techniques and evidence to date in the management of patients acutely presenting with extremity ischemia.
Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal ; Classification ; Embolism and Thrombosis ; Endovascular Procedures ; Extremities ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Specialization ; Standard of Care

PURPOSE: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common vascular problem and has serious morbidity and mortality in advanced situations. However, the prevalence and risk factors for PAD in Korea have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of PAD in the Korean population. METHODS: The study was processed by visiting community welfare centers. Inclusion criteria were people who participated in this study. Screening was performed by history taking followed by the measurement of ankle brachial index (ABI). PAD was defined when an ABI of 0.9 or less was found in one or both legs. All statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS ver. 22.0. RESULTS: Between January 2008 and December 2012, a total of 2,044 participants were included with 810 men (39.6%) and 1,234 women (60.4%). PAD was detected in 95 (4.6%). Borderline ABI (0.91–0.99) showed in 212 (10.4%), and severe decreased ABI defined as 0.5 or less showed in 3 (0.1%). Significant risk factors for PAD were old age (odd ratio, 1.952; P = 0.045), hypertension (odd ratio, 1.645; P = 0.050), and cardiovascular disease (odd ratio, 2.047; P = 0.039). Significant risk factors for borderline PAD were old age (odd ratio, 1.019; P = 0.024), hypertension (odd ratio, 1.461; P = 0.038), and chronic obstructive lung disease (odd ratio, 3.393; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PAD in the Korean population was 4.6%. Old age, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease were significant risk factors for PAD. Further nationwide study is needed.
Ankle Brachial Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Leg ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Prevalence ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to report real-life experience on the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) with a specific drug-coated balloon (DCB), and to evaluate potential prognostic factors for outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study reporting outcomes in patients with PAD who were treated with the Lutonix DCB during a four-year period. Major outcomes included: all-cause mortality, amputation, clinical improvement, wound healing and target lesion revascularization (TLR). Mean follow-up was 24.2±2.3 months. RESULTS: Overall, 149 patients (mean age: 68.6±8.3 years; 113 males) were treated, either for intermittent claudication (IC) (n=86) or critical limb ischemia (CLI) (n=63). More than half the target lesions (n=206 in total) were located in the superficial femoral artery and 18.0% were below-the-knee lesions. CLI patients presented more frequently with infrapopliteal (P=0.002) or multilevel disease (P=0.0004). Overall, all-cause mortality during follow-up was 10.7%, amputation-free survival was 81.2% and TLR-free survival was 96.6%. CLI patients showed higher all-cause mortality (P=0.007) and total amputation (P=0.0001) rates as well as lower clinical improvement (P=0.0002), compared to IC patients. Coronary artery disease (CAD), gangrene and infrapopliteal disease were found to be predictors for death whereas CLI and gangrene were found to be predictors for amputation, during follow-up. CONCLUSION: PAD treatment with Lutonix DCBs seems to be an efficient and safe endovascular strategy yielding promising results. However, CAD, gangrene, CLI and infrapopliteal lesions were found to be independent predictors for adverse outcomes. Larger series are needed to identify additional prognostic factors.
Amputation ; Angioplasty, Balloon ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Endovascular Procedures ; Extremities ; Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gangrene ; Humans ; Intermittent Claudication ; Ischemia ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Retrospective Studies ; Wound Healing

The popliteal artery is a relatively short vascular structure, but acute occlusion can decrease blood flow into the lower extremities and cause subsequent critical limb ischemia, amputation, and even mortality. Further, peripheral artery disease patients frequently have combined cardio-cerebrovascular disease. Here, we report a rare case of sudden bilateral thrombotic total occlusion in the popliteal arteries of a patient with dilated cardiomyopathy and left ventricular thrombi. This patient has been successfully managed by endovascular therapy and subsequent intra-arterial thrombolytic therapy.
Amputation ; Angioplasty ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; Extremities ; Humans ; Ischemia ; Lower Extremity ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Popliteal Artery ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombolytic Therapy

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) due to an embolism is associated with high mortality rate and poor prognosis, and early diagnosis with prompt revascularization is required to reduce the risk of limb amputation or even death. The etiologies of ALI are diverse, and it includes an embolism from the heart and thrombotic occlusion of the atherosclerotic native vessels, stents, or grafts. An uncommon cause of ALI is acute arterial thromboembolism, and atrial fibrillation (AF) is the single most important risk factors for systemic thromboembolism. It is important to correctly identify the source of ALI for secondary prevention, as it depends on the underlying cause. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for focal atherosclerotic and thrombotic occlusive diseases of the aorta and its major extremity branches. Herein, we report on a 77-year-old female patient with acute upper limb ischemia, treated by PTA using a catheter-guided thrombectomy. He was newly diagnosed with paroxysmal AF (PAF) while evaluation the cause of his acute arterial thromboembolism. We recommend that cardiologists always consider PAF as a possible diagnosis even in patients without any history of AF under ALI because it is possible to develop thromboembolism in clinical practice.
Aged ; Amputation ; Angioplasty ; Aorta ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Diagnosis ; Early Diagnosis ; Embolism ; Extremities ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Ischemia* ; Mortality ; Peripheral Arterial Disease ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Secondary Prevention ; Stents ; Thrombectomy ; Thromboembolism ; Transplants ; Upper Extremity*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term survival of subjects with peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The data included 415 Korean PAD patients aged ≥20 years hospitalized from 1994 through 2004 at a single tertiary center in Korea. Death data were obtained from all participants between 1994 and 2009. RESULTS: The mean of age was 64.4±9.3 years in PAD. The proportion of peripheral vascular bypass operation (re-vascularized) was about 50%. The proportion of males was 90.6% in PAD. Five- and 10- year survival rates were 79.2% and 60.5% in PAD, respectively. The 5- and 10- year survival rates were 83.0% and 64.1% in re-vascularized group, and 75.5% and 56.3% in non-revascularized group (p<0.05). For PAD, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) were 1.75 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-2.68) in over 65 years, 1.53 (95% CI 1.05-2.27) in diabetes, and 2.21 (95% CI 1.51-3.23) in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Interestingly, HRs in PAD were 0.55 (95% CI 0.34-0.84) in overweight and 0.45 (95% CI 0.25-0.76) in obesity. CONCLUSIONS: The 5- and 10- year survival rates were 79.2% and 60.5% in PAD. The survival rate in re-vascularized group was higher than that in non-revascularized group. Independent predictors of mortality were age, diabetes, and CKD in PAD. Obesity showed improved survival rates.
Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Peripheral Arterial Disease* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Survival Rate*