Peripheral Artery Disease News and Research

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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when leg arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque. These blockages can result in severe pain for patients, limited physical mobility, and life-threatening non-healing leg ulcers. According to the American Heart Association, this condition affects approximately 8 to 12 million Americans. With only about 25 percent of PAD patients undergoing treatment, it is a disease that is largely under-diagnosed and under-treated. If left untreated, PAD can lead to critical leg ischemia, a condition where not enough blood is being delivered to the leg to keep the tissue alive. Total loss of circulation to the legs and feet can cause gangrene and lead to amputation.

Subclinical hypothyroidism associated with increased risk of congestive heart failure

A hormonal condition known as subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with an increased risk of congestive heart failure among older adults, but not with other cardiovascular events and death, according to a study in the November 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

7 Dec 2005

Under-active thyroid can increase heart failure risk

According to a new study older adults people who have an under active thyroid, or hypothyroidism, but with no symptoms, have an increased the risk of congestive heart failure.

30 Nov 2005

Lack of aggressive treatment for clogged leg blood vessels means missed heart attack prevention opportunity

Despite the fact that clogged arteries in the legs usually mean clogged arteries near the heart, doctors often fail to give heart-protecting drugs to people with severe leg blood vessel blockages, a new University of Michigan-led study finds.

15 Nov 2005

Magnetic shoe insoles did not effectively relieve foot pain

...researchers report in the current issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. And the results indicate that patients who strongly believed in magnets had pain relief even if they were given false magnets to wear.

26 Sep 2005

Legs For Life free national screening program can save legs

The screening is essential for diabetics in order to prevent amputation, heart attack and stroke, because one-third have PAD, but most do not present classic symptoms.

1 Sep 2005

Study focuses on peripheral arterial disease - availability of vascular surgeons impacts amputation rate

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are more likely to have a foot or leg amputated if they live in a region that has few vascular surgeons, according to a Rice University/Baylor College of Medicine study published in the July issue of the Journal of Vascular Surgery.

12 Jul 2005

Trial to evaluate modern stent technologies over balloon angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease

The first patient undergoes treatment today in a new prospective randomised trial, called the SUPER Study, to compare stenting with balloon angioplasty in patients with superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusions caused by peripheral artery disease (PAD).

28 Apr 2005

First patient to test new treatment for peripheral arterial disease

For several years, crippling leg pain has prevented Joan Erickson from walking more than a block. If she paused to rest, she could walk a little more, but not enough to continue playing golf, her favorite pastime.

23 Mar 2005

Just fifteen minutes of training could make it possible for anyone to use a defibrillator to stop sudden cardiac arrest

A study published today in the journal Critical Care shows that a brief training session is all that is needed for safe and efficient use of an automated external defibrillator.

30 Jan 2005

Serono completes enrollment in phase III trial of Serostim

Serono has announced that it has completed enrollment in its second multi-center, phase III trial of Serostim (somatropin [rDNA origin] for injection) in the treatment of HIV-Associated Adipose Redistribution Syndrome (HARS).

24 Jan 2005

Detrol LA significantly reduces symptoms of overactive bladder

Pfizer today announced results of a comprehensive six-year review of efficacy and safety data for Detrol LA (tolterodine tartrate extended release capsules) indicating that Detrol LA significantly reduces symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB) with a low occurrence of side effects, and should be considered first-line therapy.

13 Dec 2004

Vasogen announces full patient enrollment in its trial of Celacade in peripheral arterial disease

Vasogen today announced that it has reached full enrollment in its 500-patient pivotal phase III SIMPADICO trial of Celacade (immune modulation therapy) for the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

16 Nov 2004

One in six U.S. adults suffered from back pain every single day during the past month

The survey of 1,014 U.S. adults revealed some vivid findings including the fact that people suffering from back pain are dealing with the issue an average of 14 days per month and often don't seek the advice of trained professionals to treat or improve their condition.

8 Nov 2004

Tiny, vibrating paddle oscillator senses the mass of a virus

By using a device only six-millionths of a meter long, researchers at Cornell University have been able to detect the presence of as few as a half-dozen viruses -- and they believe the device is sensitive enough to notice just one.

5 Nov 2004

Do cholesterol-reducing drugs decrease the risk of heart attacks and strokes in diabetics?

International researchers will, for the first time, present findings from the landmark 4D trial about whether a cholesterol-reducing drug decreases the risk of heart attacks and strokes with type 2 diabetics on dialysis at the American Society of Nephrology’s 37th Annual Meeting and Scientific Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri.

1 Nov 2004

Link between elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics and increased risk of life-threatening forms of cardiovascular disease

A Johns Hopkins study suggests that people with type I and type II diabetes would be well advised to monitor their blood sugar levels more than the usual twice daily to make sure that levels are not elevated over 150 milligrams per deciliter for sustained periods.

20 Sep 2004

Condition causing obstruction of arteries important in high blood pressure diagnosis and treatment

An under-recognized and usually asymptomatic condition called subclavian artery stenosis – an obstruction of arteries located under the clavicle, or collarbone – is important in the diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure

30 Aug 2004

To prevent heart attack, stroke, amputation, and death, National “PAD Coalition” is formed

Vascular Disease Foundation spearheads new national, multidisciplinary organization to educate patients, clinicians on peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

6 Aug 2004

Distinct types of leg symptoms reported by patients with (PAD) peripheral arterial disease

The presence and severity of peripheral arterial disease, as measured by comparing blood pressures in the arm and leg, and the nature of the leg symptoms a patient experiences can be used to identify those at highest risk of decline in walking endurance, according to a study in the July 28 issue of JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association.

28 Jul 2004

HHS has extended the availability of a recently approved rapid oral HIV test

"These actions will expand even further the availability of a simple, rapid HIV test to communities where people are at high risk of HIV," Secretary Thompson said. "HIV testing has never been easier or more accessible than it is today.

26 Jun 2004