Multifocal atherosclerosis in practice family doctor: modern look on the problem and the results of personal observation

Abstract

The aim of this review is to analyze the possibility of diagnostics of multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA) in the practice of the General practitioner taking into account available in real clinical activity diagnostic and treatment strategies based on evidence based medicine. At the moment there are no standardized guidelines for the management of patients with MFA. Considering the severe MFA complications (stroke, myocardial infarction, acute thrombosis of peripheral arteries) diagnostic of this disease in early stages in patients with risk factors is an important step in the prevention of these complications. For effective cooperation with specialists General practitioner should be widely used scales of cardiovascular risk stratification and the methodology of pre test probability of coronary heart disease. Based on the analysis of literature data and own experience the indications for additional observation and surgical intervention treatment of patients with atherosclerosis of different vessels are summarized.