Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an under-recognized complication of diabetes. Recently, prevalence estimates in patients
with diabetes over 50 years of age have been placed at 25% to 30%. The main reason for under-reporting is the largely asymptomatic
nature of PAD in diabetes. Nonetheless, it is important to diagnose PAD because it is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis
with excess cardiovascular risk, and it may identify a patient who may develop progressive disability and risk of limb loss.
The most sensitive and specific diagnostic tool is an ankle-brachial index. Imaging studies are performed in patients who
are candidates for revascularization. The most durable and effective revascularization procedure for PAD in diabetes is surgical
bypass with saphenous vein as the conduit. Endovascular interventions are best used in patients with proximal disease with
short-segment stenoses. The indications for revascularization have been immutable for decades, namely rest pain, ischemic
ulceration, or gangrene. Presently, clinicians would include "selected" patients with intermittent claudication who have disabling
symptoms and proximal disease above the inguinal ligament.