SPECIAL FEATURES

Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Guide for Nephrologists

Stephanie S. DeLoach ^* and Emile R. Mohler III ¹

Department of Medicine, *Renal, Electrolyte and Hypertension Division and Cardiovascular Disease Division, Vascular Medicine Section, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

¹ To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: mohlere{at}uphs.upenn.edu.

	Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is a major source of morbidity and mortality for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a strong predictor of coronary artery disease and a risk factor for mortality in the general population. This is of particular interest to nephrologists because the risk for PAD is increased in CKD. Often, PAD is overlooked as a source of morbidity and as a cardiovascular risk factor in this population. This review serves as an overview of the epidemiology, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of PAD with an emphasis on CKD.