INTRODUCTION
Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) have a 15-fold greater risk of death due to cardiovascular causes than patients without evidence of PAD. In fact, PAD may serve as a marker for myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. PAD is caused by atherosclerotic buildup in peripheral arteries limiting blood flow to the lower extremities. The clinical symptom is intermittent claudication characterized by pain, aches, or fatigue in leg muscles upon ambulation. This pain does not occur in resting muscles.

Although prevalence estimates vary depending on the definition used, PAD is underdiagnosed, and a significant number of patients with asymptomatic PAD are at risk for complications. Furthermore, only a small percentage of patients with PAD receive any treatment. Risk factor reduction (ie, smoking cessation, exercise, diet) and antiplatelet therapies, such as aspirin and/or clopidogrel, are the key components of treatment.

The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study has collected many important new findings relative to PAD, including (but not limited to) the rate of development of PAD in individuals with diabetes, the effect of depression and psychosocial variables on development of PAD, and the rate of development of PAD in individuals with chronic kidney disease.

Despite these key findings, the clinical community is relatively unaware of the ARIC data, and the epidemiological community is unaware of how to create accessible slides for CME or clinical audience presentation. This CME activity is designed to address these problems.

The course provides a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ and is accredited only for physicians (MD, DO, or equivalent). All other participants receive a certificate of completion.