Community walking programs for treatment of peripheral artery disease

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

AIM

The "2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" provides recommendations to guide clinicians in the treatment of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease across its multiple clinical presentation subsets (ie, asymptomatic, chronic symptomatic, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, and acute limb ischemia).

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted from October 2020 to June 2022, encompassing studies, reviews, and other evidence conducted on human subjects that was published in English from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, CINHL Complete, and other selected databases relevant to this guideline. Additional relevant studies, published through May 2023 during the peer review process, were also considered by the writing committee and added to the evidence tables where appropriate.

STRUCTURE

Recommendations from the "2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease" have been updated with new evidence to guide clinicians. In addition, new recommendations addressing comprehensive care for patients with peripheral artery disease have been developed.

The effect of telephone health coaching and remote exercise monitoring for peripheral artery disease (TeGeCoach) on health care cost and utilization: results of a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third most prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In 2016, costs per patient associated with PAD exceeded even the health-economic burden of coronary heart disease. Although affecting over 200 million people worldwide, a clear consensus on the most beneficial components to be included in home-based exercise programs for patients with peripheral artery disease is lacking. The aim of the study was to examine the health care use and costs caused by the 12-month patient-centered 'Telephone Health Coaching and Remote Exercise Monitoring for Peripheral Artery Disease' (TeGeCoach) program in a randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

This is a two-arm, parallel-group, open-label, pragmatic, randomized, controlled clinical trial (TeGeCoach) at three German statutory health insurance funds with follow-up assessments after 12 and 24-months. Study outcomes were medication use (daily defined doses), days in hospital, sick pay days and health care costs, from the health insurers' perspective. Claims data from the participating health insurers were used for analyses. The main analytic approach was an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Other approaches (modified ITT, per protocol, and as treated) were executed additionally as sensitivity analysis. Random-effects regression models were calculated to determine difference-in-difference (DD) estimators for the first- and the second year of follow-up. Additionally, existing differences at baseline between both groups were treated with entropy balancing to check for the stability of the calculated estimators.

RESULTS

One thousand six hundred eighty-five patients (Intervention group (IG) = 806; Control group (CG) = 879) were finally included in ITT analyses. The analyses showed non-significant effects of the intervention on savings (first year: - 352€; second year: - 215€). Sensitivity analyses confirmed primary results and showed even larger savings.

CONCLUSION

Based on health insurance claims data, a significant reduction due to the home-based TeGeCoach program could not be found for health care use and costs in patients with PAD. Nevertheless, in all sensitivity analysis a tendency became apparent for a non-significant cost reducing effect.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03496948 (www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov), initial release on 23 March 2018.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral artery disease is most often caused by atherosclerosis. Arterial insufficiency from atherosclerotic blockages in the limbs can impair walking distance and put patients with severe disease at risk of limb loss. Management of the disease centers around early diagnosis, supervised exercise therapy and lifestyle modification, optimizing medical care (with the goal of reducing fatal cardiac and cerebrovascular events), and revascularization.

Medical Management of Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common type of atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities associated with reduced quality of life and ambulatory capacity. Major adverse cardiovascular events and limb amputations are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in this population. Optimal medical therapy is therefore critical in these patients to prevent adverse events. Risk factor modifications, including blood pressure control and smoking cessation, in addition to antithrombotic agents, peripheral vasodilators, and supervised exercise therapy are key pillars of medical therapy. Revascularization procedures represent key touch points between patients and health care providers and serve as opportunities to optimize medical therapy and improve long-term patency rates and outcomes. This review summarizes the aspects of medical therapy that all providers should be familiar with when caring for patients with PAD in the peri-revascularization period.

Decision Aids for Determining Facility Versus Non-Facility-Based Exercise in Those with Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper sought to provide rationale for determining when a patient with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) might be referred for home-based versus facility-based exercise therapy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Multiple randomized controlled studies have embedded supervised, structured exercise therapy as a class IA recommended therapy for those with symptomatic PAD. More recently, there is interest in non-facility-based exercise training as an alternative. The current literature is mixed on the effectiveness of non-facility-based training and is influenced by the amount of contact with clinical staff providing some supervision (e.g., occasional facility-based exercise or coaching phone calls), and the intensity (e.g., performed intermittently by inducing pain or continually and not inducing pain) and frequency (e.g., 12-week common supervised exercise program or those longer than 24 weeks) of exercise. Certainly, the data suggests non-facility-based exercise, while possibly improving walking performance, is inferior to facility-based supervised exercise training. Comprehensive data is lacking on utilization of supervised exercise therapy in those with symptomatic PAD, but is likely <2% of those eligible who participate. This suggests a possible important role for alternatives including non-facility-based (e.g., home, fitness center). Exercise training in the supervised, facility-based setting appears to be greatly underutilized. Non-facility-based exercise may help to overcome some of the most common barriers to participating in facility-based exercise including those related to motivation, transportation, and proximity. However, facility-based training is considered the gold standard so decisions about allowing a patient to exercise train at home must take into account issues including disease severity, patient motivation and available exercise resources, mobility and balance, cognitive function, and other medical concerns (e.g., symptomatic coronary artery disease or heart failure).

Supervised exercise therapy for patients with peripheral artery disease: Clinical update and pathways forward

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an atherosclerotic vascular disease resulting in widespread morbidity and mortality, particularly among older adults. One first-line therapy to improve symptoms, function, and clinical outcomes in PAD is supervised exercise therapy (SET), which is based primarily on a structured, start-and-stop walking protocol and is implemented in cardiac rehabilitation programs. SET is supported by a Class IA guideline for patients with symptomatic PAD; however, despite the effectiveness of SET and the 2017 CMS decision to cover SET for PAD, challenges of awareness, access, and implementation of SET persist. Recent efforts to address these challenges include digital health and hybrid approaches to SET that may minimize barriers to care by delivering SET in more innovative, flexible formats. Further study is needed to understand barriers, improve awareness, and implement SET in more equitable and accessible ways.

Life-style counseling program and supervised exercise improves walking distance and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication

INTRODUCTION

There are many barriers for patients with intermittent claudication (IC) to complete and maintain the supervised exercise therapy (SET) programs. SET combined with life-style counseling was, therefore, investigated.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to report the experience of a single center where SET and life-style counseling targeting the modification of risk factors to treat IC, improved walking distance and quality of life.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients out of 62 referred patients with IC completed the full program of 12 weeks SET and 12 weeks self-training combined with counseling focusing in modifying the risk factors. The pain free walking distance (PFWD) and maximum walking distance (MWD) were measured as primary outcomes. Vascular Quality of Life Questionnaire 6 (VascuQoL-6) and 6-min walk test (6-MWT) were measured as secondary outcomes. Analysis of variance and last value carried forward method was used to compare the outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifteen females and 20 males with mean age of 71.5 years completed the program. PFWD and MWD increased by 116% (P < .001) and 120% (P < .001), respectively, at 24 weeks follow-up. Similarly, there was 14% increase in 6-MWT and VascuQoL-6 overall score increased from 13.1 to 15.9 at 24 week follow-up (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

SET along with life-style counseling can be considered as a package in the treatment of patients with IC.

Factors Associated With Change in Cardiovascular Fitness for Patients With Peripheral and Coronary Artery Disease in Cardiac Rehabilitation

PURPOSE

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) yields improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness (peak oxygen uptake [V˙o2peak]). Predictors of change in V˙o2peak have been reported among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) but have not been compared with peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study determined predictors of improved V˙o2peak among patients with PAD, CAD, and concomitant PAD and CAD (PAD/CAD) following a 6-mo home-based outpatient CR program (1supervised and 4 home weekly sessions).

METHODS

This study was a retrospective (2006-2017) multiple linear regression analysis of CR patients with PAD (n = 63), CAD (n = 63), and PAD/CAD (n = 164). Peripheral artery disease and CAD were matched for age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, and year in program.

RESULTS

Mean age of all patients was 68.9±10.1 yr, 72% were male, and mean improvement in V˙o2peak was 2.1 ± 3.3 mL/kg/min (14.5% improvement) following CR. In CAD, younger age (β = .30, P = .015), male sex (β = -.29, P = .019), and more recent year of entry (β = .26, P = .035) were predictors of improved V˙o2peak. In PAD, only male sex (β = -.36, P = .004) and in PAD/CAD, not having diabetes (β = -.24, P = .002), not smoking (β = -.25, P = .001), and shorter elapsed time from referring diagnosis to entry (β = -.19, P = .016) were predictors.

CONCLUSIONS

While younger age and male sex were predictors of improved V˙o2peak in CAD, age did not influence PAD, and neither age nor sex influenced PAD/CAD. Peripheral artery disease-related limitations may override some demographic factors, and strategies for improving V˙o2peak should be explored. Managing smoking and comorbid diagnoses including diabetes and a timely entry to CR may yield greater improvements in V˙o2peak among individuals with PAD.

Clinical considerations after endovascular therapy of peripheral artery disease

Introduction: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) are at higher risk for all-cause mortality, driven by increased cardiovascular mortality rates. In this manuscript we review the literature on guideline-recommended therapies and discuss the major clinical considerations after endovascular therapy of PAD.Areas covered: Current guidelines recommend smoking cessation, aspirin, statin, and renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and limb-related adverse events. Nonetheless, studies have shown that patients with PAD are undertreated with these important medical therapies. Additionally, there is lack in evidence regarding the most optimal follow up imaging approach for early detection of disease recurrence and re-intervention among patients undergoing endovascular therapy for PAD. We also describe the benefits of supervised walking exercise for patients with PAD that undergo revascularization procedures and are fit for such interventions.Expert opinion: Adherence to guideline recommended medical therapy is crucial for improved outcomes in PAD management. Systematic assessment of risk-reduction interventions could help increase adherence to clinically beneficial interventions and improve the overall prognosis of patients with PAD undergoing revascularization procedures. Additionally, optimization of current follow up protocols is needed, with the optimal goal to develop standardized cost-effective algorithms regarding early detection of disease recurrence and re-intervention.

Peripheral Artery Disease in Diabetes Mellitus: Focus on Novel Treatment Options

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral artery disease (PAD) are two clinical entities closely associated. They share many pathophysiological pathways such as inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and pro-coagulative unbalance. Emerging data focusing on agents targeting these pathways may be promising. Moreover, due to the increased cardiovascular risk, there is a growing interest in cardiovascular and "pleiotropic" effects of novel glucose lowering drugs. This review summarizes the main clinical features of PAD in patients, the diagnostic process and current medical/interventional approaches, ranging from "classical treatment" to novel agents.

Biobehavioral Intervention Targeting Physical Activity Behavior Change for Older Veterans after Nontraumatic Amputation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Lower-limb amputation (LLA) due to non-traumatic vascular etiology is linked to extremely low physical activity and high disability.

OBJECTIVE

To test the feasibility of a biobehavioral intervention designed to promote physical activity.

DESIGN

A randomized, single-blind feasibility trial with a crossover design.

SETTING

Veterans Administration Medical Center.

PARTICIPANTS

Military veterans (age: 65.7 [7.8] years; mean [standard deviation]) with nontraumatic lower-limb amputation (LLA), randomized to two groups: GROUP1 (n = 16) and GROUP2 (n = 15). Both groups had similar baseline amputation characteristics (level of amputation and time since amputation).

INTERVENTIONS

Twelve weekly, 30-minute telehealth sessions of physical activity behavior-change intervention, with GROUP1 participating in weeks 1-12 and GROUP2 in weeks 13-24. GROUP1 noncontact phase in weeks 13-24 and GROUP2 attention control telehealth phase in weeks 1-12.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Feasibility (participant retention, dose goal attainment, intervention acceptability [Intrinsic Motivation Inventory [IMI] Interest and Enjoyment scale], safety) and signal of efficacy (free-living physical activity [accelerometer-based average daily step count], Late Life Function and Disability Index - Disability Scale [LLFDI-DS]).

RESULTS

Participant retention rate was high (90%), with three participants lost to follow-up during the intervention period. Dose goal attainment was low, with only 10% of participants achieving an a priori walking dose goal. Intervention was rated as acceptable, with mean IMI Interest and Enjoyment score (5.8) statistically higher than the null value of 5.0 (P = .002). There were no between-group differences in adverse event rates (falls: P = .19, lower extremity wounds: P = .60). There was no signal of efficacy for change in average daily step count (d = -0.15) or LLFDI-DS (d = -0.22 and 0.17 for frequency and limitations scales, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Telehealth delivered biobehavioral intervention resulted in acceptable participant retention, low dose goal attainment, high participant acceptability, and low safety risk, while having no signal of efficacy (physical activity, disability) for people with nontraumatic LLA.

Patient perspectives of ankle-foot orthoses for walking ability in peripheral artery disease: A qualitative study

Calf claudication associated with peripheral artery disease results in limited walking ability and diminished quality of life. Ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) have been used to mitigate calf pain during community-based walking exercise, yet little is known about patients' perspectives of this novel device. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine the personal impact AFO had on patients who used them. Ten patients with calf claudication who previously completed a 12-week unstructured community-based walking program supplemented by AFO participated in a semi-structured recorded focus group. After data saturation was achieved, transcripts were coded and analyzed, and 2 primary themes emerged from the focus groups: 1) positive functional impact of AFO on walking ability and quality of life and 2) self-selected AFO usage patterns. Six subthemes included 1) positive ambulatory changes from using AFO, 2) sustained ambulatory improvements without AFO, 3) positive psychosocial impact, 4) optimal conditions for AFO usage, 5) optimal ambulatory surfaces when using AFO, and 6) challenges with comorbidities. The AFO were influential in decreasing claudication symptoms, improving walking capacity, and enhancing participation in meaningful daily and recreational activities. This study explores experiential knowledge of patients with calf claudication describing AFO as an effective tool to enhance unstructured walking programs. Further trials are needed to optimize device design and effectiveness in varying walking environments.

A prospective community engagement initiative to improve clinical research participation in patients with peripheral artery disease

Objective:

Patients diagnosed with peripheral artery disease are difficult to recruit into clinical trials. However, there is currently no high-quality, patient-centered information explaining why peripheral artery disease patients choose to participate or not participate in clinical research studies.

Methods:

The current study was a prospective community engagement initiative that specifically asked patients with and without peripheral artery disease: (1) what motivates them to participate in clinical research studies, (2) their willingness to participate in different research procedures, (3) the barriers to participation, (4) preferences about study design, and (5) demographic and disease-related factors influencing participation. Data were gathered through focus groups (n = 19, participants aged 55–79 years) and mailed questionnaires (n = 438, respondents aged 18–85 years).

Results:

More than half of the respondents stated that they would be willing to participate in a study during evening or weekend time slots. Peripheral artery disease patients (n = 45) were more willing than those without peripheral artery disease (n = 360) to participate in drug infusion studies (48% versus 18%, p < 0.001) and trials of investigational drugs (44% versus 21%, p < 0.001). Motivating factors and barriers to participation were largely consistent with previous studies.

Conclusion:

Adults in our geographic region are interested in participating in clinical research studies related to their health; they would like their doctor to tell them what studies they qualify for and they prefer to receive a one-page advertisement that has color pictures of the research procedures. Peripheral artery disease patients are more willing than those without peripheral artery disease to participate in drug infusion studies, trials of investigational drugs, microneurography, and spinal/epidural infusions.

Telephone health coaching with exercise monitoring using wearable activity trackers (TeGeCoach) for improving walking impairment in peripheral artery disease: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial and economic evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the third most prevalent cardiovascular disease worldwide, with smoking and diabetes being the strongest risk factors. The most prominent symptom is leg pain while walking, known as intermittent claudication. To improve mobility, first-line treatment for intermittent claudication is supervised exercise programmes, but these remain largely unavailable and economically impractical, which has led to the development of structured home-based exercise programmes. This trial aims to determine the effectiveness and cost advantage of TeGeCoach, a 12-month long home-based exercise programme, compared with usual care of PAD. It is hypothesised that TeGeCoach improves walking impairment and lowers the need of health care resources that are spent on patients with PAD.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The investigators conduct a prospective, pragmatic randomised controlled clinical trial in a health insurance setting. 1760 patients diagnosed with PAD at Fontaine stage II are randomly assigned to either TeGeCoach or care-as-usual. TeGeCoach consists of telemonitored intermittent walking exercise with medical supervision by a physician and telephone health coaching. Participants allocated to the usual care group receive information leaflets and can access supervised exercise programmes, physical therapy and a variety of programmes for promoting a healthy lifestyle. The primary outcome is patient reported walking ability based on the Walking Impairment Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures include quality of life, health literacy and health behaviour. Claims data are used to collect total health care costs, healthcare resource use and (severe) adverse events. Outcomes are measured at baseline, 12 and 24 months.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval has been obtained from the Medical Association Hamburg. Findings are disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, reports to the funding body, conference presentations and media press releases. Data from this trial are made available to the public and researchers upon reasonable request.NCT03496948 (www.clinicaltrials.gov), Pre-results.

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Supervised Exercise Therapy Through Cardiac Rehabilitation

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. This review identifies specific subgroups within older adults more likely to develop PAD, and describes methods to diagnose PAD and provide evidence in support of systematic referral to cardiac rehabilitation programs to enhance successful comprehensive management. Clear evidence and guidelines support the routine use of supervised exercise therapy to improve function, reduce risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and enhance the success of endovascular interventions.

Implementation of Supervised Exercise Therapy for Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Patients with lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) have greater functional impairment, faster functional decline, increased rates of mobility loss, and poorer quality of life than people without PAD. Supervised exercise therapy (SET) improves walking ability, overall functional status, and health-related quality of life in patients with symptomatic PAD. In 2017, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a National Coverage Determination (CAG-00449N) for SET programs for patients with symptomatic PAD. This advisory provides a practical guide for delivering SET programs to patients with PAD according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services criteria. It summarizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services process and requirements for referral and coverage of SET and provides guidance on how to implement SET for patients with PAD, including the SET protocol, options for outcome measurement, and transition to home-based exercise. This advisory is based on the guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for Medicare beneficiaries in the United States and is intended to assist clinicians and administrators who are implementing SET programs for patients with PAD.

The Impact of Interventions that Integrate Accelerometers on Physical Activity and Weight Loss: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Regular physical activity is important for improving and maintaining health, but sedentary behavior is difficult to change. Providing objective, real-time feedback on physical activity with wearable motion-sensing technologies (activity monitors) may be a promising, scalable strategy to increase physical activity or decrease weight.

PURPOSE

We synthesized the literature on the use of wearable activity monitors for improving physical activity and weight-related outcomes and evaluated moderating factors that may have an impact on effectiveness.

METHODS

We searched five databases from January 2000 to January 2015 for peer-reviewed, English-language randomized controlled trials among adults. Random-effects models were used to produce standardized mean differences (SMDs) for physical activity outcomes and mean differences (MDs) for weight outcomes. Heterogeneity was measured with I ².

RESULTS

Fourteen trials (2972 total participants) met eligibility criteria; accelerometers were used in all trials. Twelve trials examined accelerometer interventions for increasing physical activity. A small significant effect was found for increasing physical activity (SMD 0.26; 95 % CI 0.04 to 0.49; I ² = 64.7 %). Intervention duration was the only moderator found to significantly explain high heterogeneity for physical activity. Eleven trials examined the effects of accelerometer interventions on weight. Pooled estimates showed a small significant effect for weight loss (MD -1.65 kg; 95 % CI -3.03 to -0.28; I ²  = 81 %), and no moderators were significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Accelerometers demonstrated small positive effects on physical activity and weight loss. The small sample sizes with moderate to high heterogeneity in the current studies limit the conclusions that may be drawn. Future studies should focus on how best to integrate accelerometers with other strategies to increase physical activity and weight loss.

2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Since 1980, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have translated scientific evidence into clinical practice guidelines with recommendations to improve cardiovascular health. These guidelines, based on systematic methods to evaluate and classify evidence, provide a cornerstone of quality cardiovascular care.

In response to reports from the Institute of Medicine1 ,2 and a mandate to evaluate new knowledge and maintain relevance at the point of care, the ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines (Task Force) modified its methodology.3 –5 The relationships among guidelines, data standards, appropriate use criteria, and performance measures are addressed elsewhere.5

2016 AHA/ACC Guideline on the Management of Patients With Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Since 1980, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) have translated scientific evidence into clinical practice guidelines with recommendations to improve cardiovascular health. These guidelines, based on systematic methods to evaluate and classify evidence, provide a cornerstone of quality cardiovascular care.

In response to reports from the Institute of Medicine1 ,2 and a mandate to evaluate new knowledge and maintain relevance at the point of care, the ACC/AHA Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines (Task Force) modified its methodology.3 –5 The relationships among guidelines, data standards, appropriate use criteria, and performance measures are addressed elsewhere.5

Physical activity behavior change for older veterans after dysvascular amputation

OBJECTIVE

Determine the feasibility of using a physical-activity behavior-change (PABC) intervention for increasing physical activity and reducing disability in Veterans 1-5years following dysvascular lower-limb amputation (LLA).

DESIGN

Cross-over, feasibility trial SETTING: VA Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center and Veterans Homes PARTICIPANTS: 32 Veterans with dysvascular LLA (1-5years after major LLA) INTERVENTION: The home-based study, using telerehabilitation technology, is intended to reduce participant burden by removing transportation and time barriers. Participants will be randomized into two participation periods of three months (Months 1-3 and 4-6). PABC intervention will occur Months 1-3 for GROUP1 and Months 4-6 for GROUP2. During PABC Intervention, participants engage in weekly video interaction with a physical therapist, who uses a collaborative approach to develop self-monitoring, barrier identification, problem solving and action planning skills to improve physical activity. GROUP2 will participate in a no physical activity intervention, attention control in Months 1-3. GROUP1 will have a no contact, intervention "wash-out" period in Months 4-6.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Feasibility will be determined using measures of 1) participant retention, 2) dose goal attainment, 3) participant acceptability, 4) safety, and 5) initial effect size. Effect size will be based on accelerometer-based physical activity and self-report disability using the Late-Life Function and Disability Index.

CONCLUSIONS

This study focuses on a prevalent and understudied population with low physical activity and high levels of disability due to dysvascular LLA. The results of this study will guide future development of targeted rehabilitation research to improve long term physical activity and disability outcomes.

Efficacy of brief behavioral counselling by allied health professionals to promote physical activity in people with peripheral arterial disease (BIPP): study protocol for a multi-center randomized controlled trial

Background

Physical activity is recommended for people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and can improve walking capacity and quality of life; and reduce pain, requirement for surgery and cardiovascular events. This trial will assess the efficacy of a brief behavioral counselling intervention delivered by allied health professionals to improve physical activity in people with PAD.

Methods

This is a multi-center randomised controlled trial in four cities across Australia. Participants (N = 200) will be recruited from specialist vascular clinics, general practitioners and research databases and randomised to either the control or intervention group. Both groups will receive usual medical care, a written PAD management information sheet including advice to walk, and four individualised contacts from a protocol-trained allied health professional over 3 months (weeks 1, 2, 6, 12). The control group will receive four 15-min telephone calls with general discussion about PAD symptoms and health and wellbeing. The intervention group will receive behavioral counselling via two 1-h face-to-face sessions and two 15-min telephone calls. The counselling is based on the 5A framework and will promote interval walking for 3 × 40 min/week. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, and 4, 12 and 24 months by staff blinded to participant allocation. Objectively assessed outcomes include physical activity (primary), sedentary behavior, lower limb body function, walking capacity, cardiorespiratory fitness, event-based claudication index, vascular interventions, clinical events, cardiovascular function, circulating markers, and anthropometric measures. Self-reported outcomes include physical activity and sedentary behavior, walking ability, pain severity, and health-related quality of life. Data will be analysed using an intention-to-treat approach. An economic evaluation will assess whether embedding the intervention into routine care would likely be value for money. A cost-effectiveness analysis will estimate change in cost per change in activity indicators due to the intervention, and a cost-utility analysis will assess change in cost per quality-adjusted life year. A full uncertainty analysis will be undertaken, including a value of information analysis, to evaluate the economic case for further research.

Discussion

This trial will evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of a brief behavioral counselling intervention for a common cardiovascular disease with significant burden.

Trial registration

ACTRN 12614000592640 Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Registration Date 4 June 2014.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-3801-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Peripheral Artery Disease: Evolving Role of Exercise, Medical Therapy, and Endovascular Options

The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) continues to increase worldwide. It is important to identify patients with PAD because of the increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death and impaired quality of life because of a profound limitation in exercise performance and the potential to develop critical limb ischemia. Despite effective therapies to lower the cardiovascular risk and prevent progression to critical limb ischemia, patients with PAD continue to be under-recognized and undertreated. The management of PAD patients should include an exercise program, guideline-based medical therapy to lower the cardiovascular risk, and, when revascularization is indicated, an "endovascular first" approach. The indications and strategic choices for endovascular revascularization will vary depending on the clinical severity of the PAD and the anatomic distribution of the disease. In this review, we discuss an evidence-based approach to the management of patients with PAD.

Clinical Interest of Ambulatory Assessment of Physical Activity and Walking Capacity in Peripheral Artery Disease

The purpose of the present review was to provide, for the first time, a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of the available studies that highlighted the clinical interest of the ambulatory assessment of either physical activity (PA) or walking capacity in patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). We identified 96 related articles published up to March 2015 through a computer-assisted search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. Ambulatory-measured PA or related energy expenditure (EE) in PAD patients was performed in 87 of the 96 included studies. The main clinical interests of these measurements were (a) the assessment of PA/EE pattern; (b) the characterization of walking pattern; and (c) the control of training load during home-based walking programs. Ambulatory-measured walking capacity was performed in the remaining studies, using either Global Positioning System receivers or the Peripheral Arterial Disease Holter Control device. Highlighted clinical interests were (a) the assessment of community-based walking capacity; (b) the use of new outcomes to characterize walking capacity, besides the conventional absolute claudication distance; and (c) the association with the patient's self-perception of walking capacity. This review also provides for the clinicians step-by-step recommendations to specifically assess PA or walking capacity in PAD patients.

Community-based walking exercise for peripheral artery disease: An exploratory pilot study

Supervised walking exercise is an effective treatment to improve walking ability of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), but few exercise programs in community settings have been effective. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a community-based walking exercise program with training, monitoring and coaching (TMC) components to improve exercise performance and patient-reported outcomes in PAD patients. This was a randomized, controlled trial including PAD patients (n=25) who previously received peripheral endovascular therapy or presented with stable claudication. Patients randomized to the intervention group received a comprehensive community-based walking exercise program with elements of TMC over 14 weeks. Patients in the control group did not receive treatment beyond standard advice to walk. The primary outcome in the intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses was peak walking time (PWT) on a graded treadmill. Secondary outcomes included claudication onset time (COT) and patient-reported outcomes assessed via the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). Intervention group patients (n=10) did not significantly improve PWT when compared with the control group patients (n=10) (mean ± standard error: +2.1 ± 0.7 versus 0.0 ± 0.7 min, p=0.052). Changes in COT and WIQ scores were greater for intervention patients compared with control patients (COT: +1.6 ± 0.8 versus -0.6 ± 0.7 min, p=0.045; WIQ: +18.3 ± 4.2 versus -4.6 ± 4.2%, p=0.001). This pilot using a walking program with TMC and an ITT analysis did not improve the primary outcome in PAD patients. Other walking performance and patient self-reported outcomes were improved following exercise in community settings. Further study is needed to determine whether this intervention improves outcomes in a trial employing a larger sample size.

Effect of structured home-based exercise on walking ability in patients with peripheral arterial disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of structured home-based exercise (SHE) programs on maximal walking time (MWT), pain-free walking time (PFWT), and self-reported walking ability in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

We searched the databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library from inception to December 2013 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effect of SHE programs on walking ability in patients with PAD. Meta-analysis was performed based on the searched results, moreover, we made a systemic review regarding the results along with our knowledge.

RESULTS

Of all the 348 publications we got from the databases, 5 RCTs covering 547 patients reached the inclusion criteria and were involved in the present study. Both inverse-variance fixed-effects and random-effects model were used to perform meta-analysis. SHE programs improved MWT by mean difference of 66.78 sec (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.15-128.41; P = 0.03), heterogeneity across studies was significant. When the trial accounting for significant heterogeneity was omitted, SHE programs improved MWT by mean difference of 91.21 sec (95% CI, 51.96-130.45; P < 0.0001). In contrast, there was no significant heterogeneity across the studies with regard to PFWT and Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) score. SHE programs improved both PFWT and WIQ scores (mean difference of PFWT, 57.76s; 95% CI, 20.42-95.10; P = 0.002; mean difference of WIQ distance score, 8.67; 95% CI, 3.86-13.49; P = 0.0004; mean difference of WIQ speed score, 8.05, 95% CI, 4.46-11.64; P < 0.0001; mean difference of WIQ stair-climbing score, 6.44; 95% CI, 2.55-10.34; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

SHE programs improve walking ability in patients with PAD.

Role of the latest endovascular technology in the treatment of intermittent claudication

Intermittent claudication is a serious symptom in patients with peripheral arterial disease, and severely limits activities of daily living. Conservative treatment (optimal medical therapy and exercise rehabilitation programs) and revascularization procedures (endovascular treatment [EVT] or open bypass surgery) can relieve intermittent claudication. Among these treatment options, EVT has developed dramatically during the past decade, and has enabled physicians to offer less invasive treatment options with increasing durability. EVT for aortoiliac lesions has matured, and its long-term patency now approaches that of open bypass surgery. The latest EVT technologies include drug-eluting stents, stent grafts, drug-coated balloons, and bioresorbable stents. The recently reported patency of stent grafts in the femoropopliteal lesions was comparable with that of the prosthetic bypass graft. In the course of the paradigm shift from bypass surgery to EVT, evidence of any long-term benefit of EVT compared with supervised exercise is still inconclusive. EVT could improve walking performance in the short-term, while supervised exercise could improve walking performance more efficiently in the long-term. Combined treatment with EVT and exercise may offer the most sustainable and effective symptom relief. This paper reviews the relevant literature on the treatment of intermittent claudication, focusing on the latest EVT technologies, and outlines a strategy for achieving long-term benefits.