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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are the complications of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

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    Dr Brendan Stanley

    Vascular Surgeon

    Dr Brendan Stanley is a Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon with over 25 years' experience. He practices in Perth, Murdoch and Mandurah, Western Australia. Brendan has … View Profile

    In severe cases of PAD, non-healing sores on the foot or leg can progress into gangrene that make it necessary to remove part or all of the foot or leg (amputation).2 The outcome for patients with chronic limb ischaemia remains poor, with 1 in 4 deaths and up to 30% needing an amputation within a year.5,7 Most patients with PAD will not lose their limb. However, for those who also have diabetes the risk of limb amputation is greatly increased.

    Identifying PAD is important as it also serves as a marker for both cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease (conditions that affect the blood flow to the heart and brain). A patient with PAD has a six times greater risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

    It is therefore important that PAD is picked up early and optimal medical management is taken to prevent serious complications (e.g. heart attacks, stroke) and progression of PAD.

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