Microvascular Function and Ambulatory Capacity in Peripheral Artery Disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with peripheral artery disease experience walking impairment that is incompletely explained by large-artery atherosclerotic occlusive disease and abnormal ankle-brachial index (ABI). Microvascular dysfunction is associated with adverse outcomes, including amputation, but its effect on ambulation is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle microvascular function directly associates with walking distance, is a more sensitive indicator of walking distance than conduit artery blood inflow, and correlates with ambulatory improvement following peripheral artery disease interventions.

Methods

Sixty-eight participants, including 50 with peripheral artery disease (ABI ≤0.85) and 18 healthy controls, underwent vascular function assessment after sphygm

SUBMITTER: Sullivan AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12668867 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature