The Influence of Primary Atherosclerotic Diseases on the Occurrence of Secondary Disease

Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fats, cholesterol, fibrin, and other substances accumulate into plaque on the arterial walls. Plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, in turn limiting the blood flow and resulting in diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ischemic stroke (IS), or peripheral arterial disease (PAD). There is a fairly high risk of a secondary atherosclerotic event if patients are not treated after the primary episode.Objective: To calculate the statistical probability of developing AMI, IS, or PAD after treating the primary disease.Methods: Data for statistical probability studies included 507,690 patients with primary atherosclerotic disease, who were in treatment during the study period and who did or did not develop a secondary atherosclerotic disease event.Result: Statistical probability data indicate that few AMI patients can develop IS (2.99%) or PAD (2.86%) as a secondary disease. Patients with primary diagnoses of IS showed a 5.07% risk of developing PAD and a 0.95% risk of developing AMI; however, PAD patients showed a higher probability for both AMI (9.17%) and IS (8.79%). Conclusion:Secondary atherosclerotic disease episodes after IS, AMI, and PAD were confirmed by statistical probability and are consistent with data from the literature. The study revealed that a primary PAD event leads to high rates of secondary episodes, and special attention should be given to the diagnosis and treatment of PAD in order to decrease the occurrence of secondary events.

A Non-Coronary, Peripheral Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease (Carotid, Renal, Lower Limb) in Elderly Patients—A Review PART II—Pharmacological Approach for Management of Elderly Patients with Peripheral Atherosclerotic Lesions outside Coronary Territory

“…Aging is a key risk factor for atherosclerosis progression that is associated with increased incidence of ischemic events in supplied organs, including stroke, coronary events, limb ischemia, or renal failure [ 1 , 2 ]. Disseminated atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries, e.g., not limited to coronary arteries only, but including internal carotid artery stenosis (ICAS), renal artery stenosis (RAS), and lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is associated with a several-fold increase in cardiovascular risk events [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Atherosclerotic occlusive disease affects everyday activity, quality of life, and it is associated with reduced life expectancy [ 5 , 6 ].…”

The Influence of Primary Atherosclerotic Diseases on the Occurrence of Secondary Disease

“…In this issue of the International Journal of Cardiovascular Sciences, Picoli et al 11 describe the role of the territory involved in the primary disease territory on the occurrence of secondary disease. The authors had the objective to calculate the statistical probability of developing myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke or peripheral arterial disease after the occurrence of a primary event and its subsequent treatment.…”