Outpatient follow-up of patients with atherosclerosis of lower extremities: promising ways to improve results

HighlightsThe article shows the positive impact of 3-year cardiology follow-up in patients with atherosclerosis of lower extremities. Aim. To study the impact of outpatient cardiology follow-up in patients with peripheral artery disease on the prognosis and the frequency and outcomes of surgical interventions.Methods. The study included 585 patients with peripheral artery disease who underwent outpatient follow-up - by a surgeon (n = 131) and a cardiologist (n = 454). The groups were compared according to the main clinical and anamnestic data and type of drug therapy. After 3 years, the incidence of adverse outcomes (nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, new amputations and deaths) and factors associated with adverse outcomes in the selected cohort were evaluated.Results. The group of patients who were followed by cardiologist received optimal drug therapy more often compared with patients followed by surgeon: β-blockers (80.4% vs. 32.8%; p < 0.001), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (61.0% vs. 38.2%; p < 0.001), statins (87.0% vs. 63.4%; p < 0.001). Within three years, fatal outcome was more common in the group of patients followed by surgeon (13.0% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.023). The factors that positively affected the prognosis of patients were cardiology follow-up (OR 0.34; 95% CI 0.17–0.7; p < 0.001), taking aspirin (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.06–0.22, p < 0.001) and statins (OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.05–0.21; p < 0.001).Conclusion. The results of this study confirm the need for more effective cardiology follow-up of patients with peripheral artery disease. This will improve the results of treatment and reduce the number of complications. Further research in this area can help determine the optimal strategies for follow-up and improve the quality of life of patients with peripheral artery disease.