Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Symposium II

ciplinary Working Group was commissioned by the American Heart Association (AHA) to provide a forum to address important and emerging issues in this multidisciplinary area of clinical science. The working group was a primary outgrowth of the AHA Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Conference held in Boston, Mass, in July 2002. It was created in recognition of the fact that atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with important sequelae in many regional circulations in addition to the heart, including the brain, kidneys, mesentery, and limbs. Its mission is to provide a forum for the multiple disciplines engaged in research, evaluation, and management of patients with noncoronary atherosclerosis. The goals of the Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease Interdisciplinary Working Group are to develop a strategy to increase awareness of atherosclerotic vascular disease, identify important gap areas in knowledge that require further clinical investigation, and develop programs that will facilitate prevention and treatment of peripheral atherosclerotic diseases.