Revascularization better for peripheral arterial disease

Patients with intermittent claudication, a form of peripheral arterial disease, who had circulation-restoring procedures called revascularization had better quality of life and fewer symptoms a year later than patients who underwent medical management in a recent study.

Emily Beth Devine, UW associate professor of pharmacy,  and her colleagues, compared the effectiveness of two treatments for intermittent claudication: a medical management program consisting of walking exercise, medicines, and smoking cessation counseling; and revascularization by surgically unblocking clogged blood vessels or by implanting tiny wire mesh tubes called stents into the vessels to help keep arteries open.
The study was conducted at 15 clinics associated with 11 hospitals in Washington state. Participants were 21 years or older with newly diagnosed or established intermittent claudication. A total of 323 adults were enrolled, with 282 (87 percent) receiving the medical treatment program. At the start of the study, the average duration of disease was longer for participants who received the medical intervention program, while those who underwent revascularization reported more severe disease.

Full story can be found from University of Washington website.