Women and peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral arterial disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Americans. Without aggressive management of the disease as well as comorbidities and risk factors, peripheral arterial disease may progress and place patients at risk for amputation of the affected limb. In addition, patients affected by peripheral arterial disease are at increased risk for death from both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular causes. Although traditionally felt to be a disease of Caucasian men, women compose a significant portion of patients with peripheral arterial disease, especially among the elderly. Increased prevalence of asymptomatic disease in women can lead to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Without the appropriate medical and or surgical intervention, women are at risk of poor procedural outcomes and increased mortality. This review will focus on the differences in peripheral arterial disease based on gender and how these differences can affect the presentation, diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease in women.