The Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease in a Racially Diverse Population

Abstract

PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL disease (PAD) is atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and arteries of the lower extremities.¹ The most reliable and simple objective assessment of PAD is the bedside measurement of the ankle-brachial index (ABI), which is a ratio of the systolic blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm. The disease can exist in a clinically asymptomatic or symptomatic form. Asymptomatic PAD denotes objective evidence of arterial occlusion without leg symptoms. Symptomatic PAD denotes evidence of leg occlusion and the presence of symptoms that include intermittent claudication, rest pain, ulcers, and gangrene.