Peripheral Arterial Disease and the Pharmacist’s Role in Management

Abstract

Purpose. Atherosclerosis of arteries in the legs leads to peripheral arterial disease (PAD), increasing the risk of future cardiovascular events. Worldwide prevalence estimates indicate >200 million people have PAD, but this is likely underestimated given the variability in symptoms and lack of awareness by patients and clinicians. Antiplatelet therapy is recommended to reduce cardiovascular risk, but anticoagulation therapy may also be beneficial. This narrative review examined scientific literature for the burden and medical management of PAD, including use of anticoagulants in this population, and provides perspectives on the role of pharmacists to improve outcomes of PAD. Summary. A variety of antiplatelet therapies has been studied in patients with PAD, and treatment is recommended for those with symptomatic disease. The use of dual antiplatelet therapy is limited to patients with symptomatic PAD after revascularization. Anticoagulation with warfarin in combination with antiplatelet therapy did not improve efficacy over antiplatelet therapy alone and increased bleeding. In contrast, the direct factor Xa inhibitor rivaroxaban, when used in combination with low-dose aspirin, has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke by 28% in patients with PAD compared with aspirin alone. Similarly, in patients with PAD who have undergone revascularization, rivaroxaban plus aspirin reduced the risk of acute limb ischemia, major amputation, MI, stroke, or cardiovascular death by 15% versus aspirin alone. Major bleeding was significantly increased with rivaroxaban plus aspirin, but with no differences in fatal bleeding, nonfatal intracranial hemorrhage, or symptomatic bleeding into a critical organ between groups. Pharmacist-led interventions for patients with PAD include identifying at-risk patients through medication reviews and clinical assessments, education and monitoring use of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and appropriate counseling on lifestyle modifications. Conclusion. Rivaroxaban plus aspirin reduces the risk of major cardiovascular events, including major adverse limb events and amputation, in patients with PAD. Pharmacists can play an integral role in identifying, screening, and managing patients with PAD to achieve favorable outcomes.