Lipid-lowering therapy is effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in people with PAD .
It may also improve local symptoms .
Until further evidence on the relative effectiveness of different lipid-lowering agents is available , use of a statin in people with PAD and a blood cholesterol level > /=3.5 mmol/litre is most indicated
BACKGROUND Lipid-lowering therapy is recommended for secondary prevention in people with coronary artery disease .
It may also reduce cardiovascular events and /or local disease progression in people with lower limb peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on all-cause mortality , cardiovascular events and local disease progression in patients with PAD of the lower limb .
Randomized controlled trial of gamma-linolenic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in peripheral arterial disease.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS epidemiological studies suggest polyunsaturated fatty acids protect against the development of atherosclerosis . The aim of this study was to perform a r and omized controlled trial of gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis . Main outcome measures were : cholesterol and lipoprotein concentrations ; haemostatic and rheological variables ; the ankle brachial pressure index ; walking distance ; and cardiovascular events and death . METHODS 120 men and women with stable intermittent claudication were r and omized to 2 years treatment with either a combination of gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids , or placebo . RESULTS 39 ( 65.0 cent ) of those taking fatty acids and 36 ( 60.0 cent ) of those taking placebo completed the trial . Lipid concentrations did not differ significantly during the trial . In those taking fatty acids , haematocrit was significantly higher than in the placebo group after 6 months ( 46.1 cent compared with 44.6 cent , P < /= 0.01 ) , and systolic blood pressure was significantly lower after 2 years ( 150|mmHg compared with 161.8|mmHg , < /= 0.05 ) . There was no difference in walking distance , but there was a small reduction in non-fatal coronary events in the fatty acid group ( 10 cent compared with 15 cent , P > 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS a combination of polyunsaturated fatty acids produced a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure , but no other significant benefits on risk factors . The trend towards fewer coronary events in those taking fatty acids warrants further investigation
Lipid-lowering therapy is effective in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in people with PAD .
It may also improve local symptoms .
Until further evidence on the relative effectiveness of different lipid-lowering agents is available , use of a statin in people with PAD and a blood cholesterol level > /=3.5 mmol/litre is most indicated
BACKGROUND Lipid-lowering therapy is recommended for secondary prevention in people with coronary artery disease .
It may also reduce cardiovascular events and /or local disease progression in people with lower limb peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on all-cause mortality , cardiovascular events and local disease progression in patients with PAD of the lower limb .