Professional Practice Guide -FCSV-EN

8 2. What Is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)? 2.1 DEFINITION Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is defined as a partial or complete blockage of arteries located distal to the aorta. Most often, these blockages affect the arteries of the legs, but they may also involve the arteries supplying the intestines and the kidneys. This condition is caused by the accumulation of plaque, composed mainly of lipids (atheroma), on the arterial wall. This process is known as atherosclerosis. PAD progresses differently in patients and over time. The signs and symptoms of PAD may appear relatively late in life. For many individuals, symptoms do not occur until arterial narrowing reaches 60%ormore. In response to this narrowing, adaptive mechanisms stimulate the formation of a network of small peripheral arteries that allow blood flow to bypass the narrowed area and supply muscles and other tissues downstream. This adaptive process, known as collateral circulation, explains why some individuals may have PAD with few or no symptoms. Patients with PAD are at high risk of experiencing myocardial infarction or stroke. More recently, it has also been shown that life expectancy is significantly reduced in individuals living with PAD. For example, the risk of dying from heart disease is six times higher in individuals with PAD than in those without the disease. It is therefore important to remain vigilant when patients report PAD-related systems or risk factors, as outlined below. In addition to heart disease, PAD is associated with a high risk of vascular complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular dementia, renovascular disease, and mesenteric disease. Several factors influence disease progression, including the arterial site affected, lifestyle habits and risk factors, as well as personal and family medical history. Professional Practice Guide