Peripheral Artery Disease in Vastmanland
Peripheral Artery Disease in Vastmanland
The main purposes of this study are:

 -  to describe the prevalence and degree of reduced left ventricular function and
 hypertrophy in patients with peripheral arterial disease in comparison to controls from
 the general population,

 -  to evaluate factors of importance to left ventricular dysfunction and hypertrophy in
 patients with peripheral arterial disease, and

 -  to assess the impact of cardiac function and left ventricular hypertrophy on long-term
 prognosis in patients with peripheral artery disease.
Left ventricular dysfunction is often a consequence of coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is
 prevalent among patients with peripheral artery disease. However, there is limited data
 regarding left ventricular morphology and function in those patients. In the cross-sectional
 part of this study we will describe the prevalence of reduced cardiac function and left
 ventricular hypertrophy in a cohort of patients with peripheral artery disease. The patient
 outcomes will be compared to control subjects randomly selected from the general population
 in a case-control design. Further, clinical and genetic determinants of cardiac dysfunction
 in the patient cohort will be identified. In the longitudinal part of the study, the impact
 of cardiac function and morphology on cardiovascular mortality and morbidity will be
 evaluated in the cohort.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Fulfillment of at least one of the following criteria:

 -  ankle-brachial-index (ABI) <= 0.9, or

 -  stenosis of > 30% of the internal carotid artery, or

 -  symptoms typical for claudication and corresponding stenotic findings on the
 ultrasound examination.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  age less than 18 years

 -  severly impaired communication capabilities