An audit of secondary prevention for peripheral arterial disease in primary care — scope for improved collaboration between vascular surgery and general practitioners

Background Symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common cause for referral from primary care to vascular surgery. Best medical therapy (BMT), encompassing anti-platelets, statins, smoking cessation, blood pressure and glycaemic control, is a cornerstone of PAD management. However, these easily modifiable risk factors are often left unaddressed between referral and clinic review. Methods A prospective audit of electronic ‘Healthlink’ referrals by GPs to the vascular department for symptomatic PAD between July 2021 and June 2022 was performed. Referrals were individually reviewed for demographics, symptoms, medical history, smoking status and medications. An information leaflet on BMT was posted to all GP practices in the Soalta region as part of an educational intervention, with plans to re-audit after 6 months. Results One-hundred-and-seventy referrals were analysed. The median age was 68.5 years (range 33–94) and 69% ( n = 117) were male. The typical vasculopath comorbidity profile was noted. Fifty-two percent ( n = 88) were referred with claudication-type pain and 25% ( n = 43) with critical limb ischaemia (CLI). Twenty-eight percent ( n = 33) were active smokers and 31% ( n = 36) had no smoking status documented. Regarding BMT, only 34.5% ( n = 40) and 52% ( n = 60) were on anti-platelets and statins, respectively. Suspected CLI was not significantly associated with BMT prescription at referral ( p = 0.664). Only eleven referral letters mentioned risk factor optimisation. Conclusions Our first-cycle results identified significant scope for improvement in community-based risk factor modification for PAD referrals. We aim to continue supporting and educating our colleagues that effective medical management can start safely in primary care and further explore the barriers preventing this.