Health-Related Quality of Life After Lower-Extremity Arterial Stenting in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease: A Prospective Pre–Post Study

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with substantial impairment in functional capacity and health-related quality of life (QoL), particularly in patients with symptomatic lower-extremity disease. Although endovascular revascularization is primarily intended to restore arterial perfusion and relieve ischemic symptoms, its short-term impact on patient-reported health status remains clinically relevant. This prospective pre–post study evaluated changes in QoL one month after lower-extremity arterial stenting in 108 patients with PAD. Health-related QoL was assessed using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before stenting and at the one-month follow-up, with each patient serving as their own comparator. Changes across SF-36 domains were analyzed to characterize the magnitude and pattern of early patient-reported recovery. Significant improvements were observed after stenting, with the most pronounced changes involving pain, physical functioning, and general health perception. Social functioning also improved, although to a lesser extent. Patients with poorer baseline health status and greater symptom burden tended to demonstrate larger improvements, suggesting that baseline functional impairment may influence the magnitude of perceived benefit after revascularization. Overall, lower-extremity arterial stenting was associated with meaningful short-term improvements in health-related QoL in patients with PAD, particularly in domains related to pain and physical function. These findings support the value of incorporating patient-reported outcomes alongside conventional vascular endpoints when evaluating early outcomes after peripheral endovascular intervention.