Exercise therapy for chronic symptomatic peripheral artery disease

Citation

Mazzolai L, Belch J, Venermo M, Aboyans V, Brodmann M, Bura-Rivière A, Debus S, Espinola-Klein C, Harwood AE, Hawley JA, Lanzi S, Madarič J, Mahé G, Malatesta D & Seenan C (2024) Exercise therapy for chronic symptomatic peripheral artery disease. European Heart Journal, 45 (15), pp. 1303-1321. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehad734

Abstract
All guidelines worldwide strongly recommend exercise as a pillar of the management of patients affected by lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). Exercise therapy in this setting presents different modalities, and a structured programme provides optimal results. This clinical consensus paper is intended for clinicians to promote and assist for the set-up of comprehensive exercise programmes to best advice in patients with symptomatic chronic PAD. Different exercise training protocols specific for patients with PAD are presented. Data on patient assessment and outcome measures are narratively described based on the current best evidence. The document ends by highlighting disparities in access to supervised exercise programmes across Europe and the series of gaps for evidence requiring further research.

Keywords
Vascular rehabilitation; Quality of life; Intermittent claudication; Exercise training; Physical activity

Notes
Additional authors: Oliver Schlager, Arno Schmidt-Trucksäss, Chris Seenan, Henrik Sillesen, Garry A Tew, Adriana Visonà

Journal
European Heart Journal: Volume 45, Issue 15