Reducing the number of unplanned returns to hospital after treatment for peripheral artery disease

Improved, integrated care for older patients with complex medical needs could avert some modifiable causes of readmission

The incidence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is rising around the world as populations age and the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease increase.1 The clinical manifestations of lower limb PAD range from asymptomatic atherosclerosis and exertional pain caused by intermittent claudication, to chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia with rest pain, ulceration, and necrosis. Long term survival is poorer for patients with PAD than for people with many common cancers,1 and quality of life and patient‐reported outcomes are impaired.2 A recently published analysis of Global Burden of Disease Study data found that lower limb amputation rates were higher in Australia than in eighteen other high income countries, highlighting the need to improve outcomes for people with PAD.3