INTERVENTIONALISTS GUIDE TO THE PATIENTS EXPERIENCE OF LOWER-EXTREMITY ARTERIAL OCCLUSIVE DISEASE

This article is intended as a guide for all who propose to intervene i n patients with symptomatic lower extremity arterial occlusive disease , It reviews the natural history of and therapies for intermittent cla udication, The results of a survey of claudicants are summarized; this survey gathered data on claudicants' general health, comorbid conditi ons, symptoms of claudication, mel. functional abilities. Respondents predicted a 20% improvement in their ability to perform instrumental a ctivities of daily living (eg, walking several blocks, climbing one fl ight of stairs, performing household tasks) if lower extremity symptom s were relieved, This level of improvement is consistent with that rep orted in the literature following revascularization. The conclusion is that patients with claudication have modest goals with respect to imp rovement following vascular intervention. More data should be collecte d on the functional outcomes of vascular intervention so that patients can make better informed choices regarding treatment of symptomatic l ower extremity arterial occlusive disease.