ABSTRACT:
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) seriously affects the mortality rate of the population, as well as the quality of daily life of individuals, mainly through claudication, which limits walking and daily activities. Case: Three years ago, 60-year-old patient comes to our clinic with claudication of the right leg 100 m. Smoker with previously untreated arterial hypertension (AH), an electrician, married, 16-year-old daughter. Sonography showed severe atherosclerotic changes in the superficial femoral artery (AFS) l. dx. We encourage the patient to quit smoking, start to treat of AH, add statins. He starts daily muscle training. Claudication does not worsen further. We potentiate the treatment with naftidrofuryl and ginko biloba, he completely quit smoking. Claudication does not worsen but does not improve either. His desperate wife comes in, reporting erectile dysfunction (ED), the patient is considering prematurely terminating his work, there is a significant decrease in the ankle-brachial and toe-brachial index. So, despite the absence of signs of critical limb ischemia, we consult the vascular interventionist. CT angiography showed severe stenotizations of the a.ilica l.dx. (AIE) and the right AFS. Intervention technically successful recanalizes AIE l.dx., antiplatelet therapy follows. The claudication distance increases to 650 m. He returns to work, decides to support his daughter studies for the next 5 years. Management of risk factors as a prevention of restenosis continues.

CONCLUSIONS:
A comprehensive, consistent approach to addressing risk factors as well as vascular intervention has the potential to improve and sustain quality of life in patients with PAD.