The Medical clinics of North America
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2023
ReviewAtherosclerotic Disease: Pathogenesis and Approaches to Management.
Atherosclerotic disease, including stroke and myocardial infarction, is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Atherosclerotic plaque formation occurs in the setting of excess oxidative and hemodynamic stress and is perpetuated by smoking, poor diet, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes. ⋯ Smoking cessation, lifestyle modification, risk factor optimization, and antithrombotic therapies are the mainstays of atherosclerotic disease management and are the cornerstones to reduce morbidity and mortality in this high-risk patient population. Novel therapeutics are in development and will add to the growing armamentarium available to physicians who manage atherosclerotic disease.
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Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common vascular disorder encompassing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). There is no data on global estimates of VTE prevalence and incidence. Most patients with unprovoked VTE require secondary thromboprophylaxis upon the completion of the primary treatment phase if they have no high bleeding risk. Risk prediction models can help identify patients at low VTE recurrence risk who may discontinue anticoagulation upon the completion of the primary treatment phase.
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One of the most common reasons for patient visits in the outpatient practice is lower extremity swelling. Non-cardiac etiologies are the most frequent reason for these encounters. ⋯ Figures and tables will complement the text for diagnosing lower extremity swelling. In this article, the common non-cardiac etiologies will be reviewed which include medications, chronic venous insufficiency, lymphatic disease, lipedema, venous thrombosis, and musculoskeletal etiologies.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2023
ReviewVascular Imaging for the Primary Care Provider: Venous and Arterial Disease.
The vascular laboratory provides important contributions to the diagnosis, workup, and treatment of known or suspected vascular disease. Knowing what tests to order (and when to order them) allows for the best utilization of these resources. This article will focus on the appropriate use of the vascular lab for the primary care clinician regarding a variety of vascular presentations, including swollen leg, suspected peripheral artery disease, vasospastic disease, carotid artery stenosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Patients with known vascular disease often require serial surveillance imaging to document the stability or progression of disease, and consensus guidelines regarding these strategies will be reviewed.
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Med. Clin. North Am. · Sep 2023
ReviewVaricose Veins: Approach, Assessment, and Management to the Patient with Chronic Venous Disease.
Varicose veins are tortuous and dilated veins commonly seen in chronic venous disease. This article will review chronic venous disease, including its differential diagnosis, workup, and treatment.