International PAD Strategic Network

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

PAD has a high social burden in high income as well as in low- and middle-income countries. PAD increases with
the increase in life expectancy and aging of the population.

Cardiovascular (CV) acute fatal and non-fatal events are related to the stage of the disease. Critical Limb
Ischemia (CLI) is the most advanced stage of PAD with a high risk of amputation and the highest rate of
death.

Costs are higher for inpatients in its advanced stages than those for coronary heart disease (CHD) or stroke.

Prevention:

PAD responds positivelyto simple preventive measures if approached in stages I and II (Asymptomatic or
Claudication).

Several cardiovascular events can be prevented and the PAD deterioration controlled and consequently vascular
amputations can be mostly avoided.

Clinical evaluation alone can diagnose PAD.

Preventing the deterioration of PAD is a primary ethical commitment for those who work and have responsibilities
in national health organizations.

Aims

Enhancing primary prevention of PAD in the general population
Increasing awareness of PAD among health professionals and the
population
Promoting early diagnosis of PAD
Enhancing secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and death in
PAD patients
Increasing interest and support of European Union and World Health
Organisation for PAD action

Structure

The Network would primarily comprise societies and organisations representing the Health
Professionals, Students of Medicine, Experts on Risk Factors, Representatives of the General Population as well as
umbrella organisations working in public health-related areas. Ideally these societies and organisations should be
operating at the international or European level so as to have the widest possible impact.

VAS Referees

Gerry Fowkes-Chairperson (UK), Mariella Catalano (IT), Gerit Schernthaner (AT), Jerry J.Bartholomew (USA), Katalin
Farkas (HU), Michael Edmonds (UK), Linda Mans (NL), I. Durand Zaleski (FR), A. Sieron (PL)

JOIN THE NETWORK

International Network

VAS-European Independent Foundation in Angiology/Vascular Medicine (Board Representatives) and
VAS-International Consortium of Vascular Medicine (representatives for: Europe, USA, Philippine, Argentina,
Australia, Iran, Turkey)
APSVM: Asian Pacific Society Vascular Disease
EPHA: European Public Health Alliance
EIWH: European Institute of Women’s Health
EMSA: European Medical Students’ Association
ENSP: European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention
ESNO: European Specialist Nurses Organization
ESSPSY: European Society of Social Psychiatry
IFMSA: International Federation of Medical Students Associations (RD Europe)
PSVM: Philippine Society for Vascular Medicine
SIHA: Seniors International Health Association
TSVES: Turkish Society of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery.