Best Medications and Procedure for PAD Treatment in 2022

PAD treatment is necessary to limit the progression of the disease. Once the PAD progresses it may reduce mobility, increases the chances of heart attack, increase chances of limb loss depending on the stage, and reduces the quality of life. 

The patients are given the option to proceed with an arterial procedure and avoid major complications in the future. 

Below are the medical treatment options for PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) patients. 

1. Medications - This is known in the medical field as Antiplatelet therapy. This type of medicine stops blood cells from sticking together forming a blood clot. These medicines may include Aspirin or clopidogrel, although other adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor antagonists may provide a similar benefit. Vorapaxar, a thrombin receptor antagonist reduces blood flow to the heart after arteries become clogged, and reduces hospitalization in patients with claudication. However, it needs to be used in addition to Aspirin and/or Clopidogrel and cannot be used as monotherapy. 
2. Lipid-lowering therapy or lowering cholesterol (including diet modification) - Lipids are tiny particles that circulate in the blood and have many functions, including energy storage. More commonly known as cholesterol. A moderate dose of statin is recommended as Class 1 indication for all patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The target bad cholesterol level (LDL) should be less than 100 for all PAD patients and less than 70 LDL for those at high risk of blood not getting to the heart or other organs. 
3. Diabetes Control - Treatment of diabetes in individuals with lower extremity PAD by the administration of glucose control therapies to reduce hemoglobin A1C to less than 7% complication and potentially improve cardiovascular outcomes. 
4. Smoking cessation - Stop smoking to reduces the risk of future cardiovascular events, and potentially limit the progression of the disease. All patients should be strongly advised to stop smoking by their physicians. Patients should be offered pharmacotherapy, behavior modification, referral to a smoking cessation program, and counseling. 
5. Hypertension Control - Medication is used to reduce hypertension and the risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, and cardiovascular death. This is called Antihypertensive therapy and should be used to achieve a goal of less than 140 mm Hg systolic over 90 mm Hg diastolic for individuals without diabetes. For individuals with diabetes and chronic renal disease, the goal is to reach 130 mm Hg systolic over 80 mm Hg diastolic. 

Below is the PAD treatment option offered by the Center for Vascular Medicine Physicians in several Maryland locations including Annapolis, Bel Air, Silver Spring, Glen Burnie, Baltimore, Waldorf, Greenbelt. Visit the Vascular Surgery location page. The physician will determine whether an arterial stent or an atherectomy is necessary. 

Arterial Procedure - This is recommended for patients who show symptoms of PAD in the lower legs (ulcers, discoloration, lower extremity pain while walking and immediately subsides at rest, and have high-risk factors including cigarette smoking, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol).  These minimally-invasive procedures have been perfected in the last decade. Independent research conducted by the Lakhanpal Vein Foundation and the experience of the vascular surgeon ensures patients receive the best treatment option. 

Angiogram - An angiogram is a procedure to make the arteries visible for the doctor to see blood flow through the arteries. This is a minimally-invasive arterial procedure to view the arteries. 
Angioplasty - Angioplasty is a procedure to restore blood flow to the arteries using a special catheter with a balloon that can inflate or open blockages in the artery. 
Arterial stent - The stent is a metal mesh tube to open arteries for better blood flow. This is usually performed with an angioplasty (special balloon catheter). 
Atherectomy - This procedure removes fatty plaque from the arteries. Instead of angioplasty, a device is used to remove the plaque. 

The Center for Vascular Medicine has state-of-the-art technology, along with an independent medical research facility to determine the best treatment options for patients suffering from chronic leg pain and/or leg ulcers. The doctors use minimally-invasive procedures to treat patients suffering from PAD. No open surgeries necessary and no hospital stays. Patients can go back to work the next day. Call CVM or request an appointment today.