Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Conference: Writing Group V: medical decision making and therapy.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease with manifestations in multiple vascular beds. In each regional circulation, clinical events result from progression of the atherosclerotic lesion, superimposed thrombosis, and other dynamic processes, including ulceration, plaque rupture, intramural hemorrhage, fragmentation, and embolism. Evaluation and management of patients with atherosclerosis must be linked to these mechanisms, recognizing regional differences in natural history, morbidity, and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. This section covers medical management of carotid artery disease, aortic disease, renal artery stenosis, and peripheral arterial disease.