Atherosclerosis risk factors in male patients qualified for percutaneous stenting of lower extremity arteries. A retrospective cohort study

Objectives. Leg ischemia is the third leading cause of atherosclerotic cardiovascular morbidity, concerning about 20-30% of the elderly population. Recognition of its risk factors helps in early diagnosis and patient management. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of respective atherosclerosis risk factors among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) referred for lower limb endovascular revascularization and compare their prevalence with the data obtained in large epidemiological investigations and in patients with atherosclerosis manifestation in coronary and cerebral vascular beds.Material and methods. Medical documentation for 73 male patients with PAD after a first endovascular intervention was evaluated retrospectively, and the prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors found was compared with historical control groups from the literature.Results. The patients studied presented significantly greater prevalence of a current smoking habit and diabetes mellitus than in the POLSCREEN, WOBASZ and NATPOL PLUS studies, significantly greater prevalence of hypertension than in WOBASZ and NATPOL PLUS, significantly greater prevalence of dyslipidemia than in POLSCREEN and NATPOL PLUS, significantly lower prevalence of BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 than in POLSCREEN, and greater than in NATPOL PLUS. In comparison to patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), individuals with PAD had a lower prevalence of hypertension and overweight and/or obesity, but greater occurrence of a current smoking habit and dyslipidemia.Conclusions. Patients with PAD who were qualified for endovascular therapy presented greater prevalence of atherosclerosis risk factors and multisite vascular disease manifestation than various general Polish populations and subjects with CAD, which suggests the need for the improved management of these patients.