Society for Vascular Medicine publishes scientific statement on research priorities for peripheral artery disease

It has been estimated that lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects approximately 236 million people worldwide and at least 8 million people in the United States (US). Published today in Vascular Medicine is a report from the Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) that identifies the highest priority topics for future investigation in PAD across all domains of research, including epidemiology, basic science and translational science, clinical research, and implementation studies.

The identified current research priorities for PAD include:

• Determine the current prevalence of PAD in the US by age group, sex, race, and ethnicity
• Improve methods to diagnose PAD
• Develop new medical therapies to eliminate walking impairment
• Implement established therapies to reduce rates of MACE and MALE in people with PAD 

• Develop animal models that closely resemble the vascular, skeletal muscle, and platelet pathology in PAD
• Define the genetic and epigenetic contributors to PAD and PAD-associated outcomes 

These research priorities aim to reduce the incidence of PAD, improve health outcomes, function, and quality of life among people with PAD, and increase rates of diagnosis and treatment, as well as inform funding agencies, policymakers, and other leaders in scientific investigation of PAD.

To develop this report, a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and clinicians reviewed literature, proposed high priority topics for scientific investigation, and voted to rank the highest priority topics for scientific investigation. Successful investigation of these research priorities will require more well-trained investigators focused on scientific investigation of PAD, greater and more efficient enrollment of diverse patients with PAD in randomized clinical trials, and increased research funding dedicated to PAD.

According to writing committee Co-chair, Dr. Mary McDermott, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine: “Compared to coronary artery disease (CAD), PAD has been under-recognized, under-appreciated, under-treated, and under-studied. This publication highlights priorities for PAD-focused scientific discovery and emphasizes the need for more  scientists dedicated to the study of PAD and research funding”

Writing Committee Co-chair, Dr. Marc P, Bonaca, University of Colorado and Colorado Prevention Center, highlighted his hope to implement this document: “Improving outcomes in patients with PAD has been challenging due to limitations in our understanding of the epidemiology, its complex pathobiology, the contributions of genetic and epigenetic factors, and the clinical heterogeneity of the population. Recently we have seen the development of novel therapies to improve function and outcomes, but there remains a great unmet need. This statement is designed to highlight key research priorities to accelerate discovery and improve outcomes in this complex and high-risk population.”

The document is designed for immediate implementation to improve health outcomes in people with PAD. The article is free to download for 6 months.