Medical treatment of peripheral arterial disease in the elderly

Smoking should be stopped and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypothyroidism be treated in elderly patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Statins reduce the incidence of intermittent claudication and improve exercise duration until the onset of intermittent claudication in persons with PAD and hypercholesterolemia. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or clopidogrel, especially clopidogrel, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and statins should be given to all persons with PAD. Beta blockers should be given if coronary artery disease is present. Exercise rehabilitation programs and cilostazol lengthen exercise time until intermittent claudication develops. Chelation therapy should be avoided. (J Geriatr Cardiol 2007;4:93-100.)