Drug treatment of intermittent claudication

Abstract

Intermittent claudication is a major presenting manifestation of chronic obstructive peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs. The goals of treatment in the absence of rest pain are relief of symptoms, improvement in walking distance and prevention of progression of disease. The effectiveness of drug therapy for intennittent claudication, however, remains controversial and despite numerous clinical trials, many experts are not convinced of their value. In this article the author describes the drugs most frequently uses and most extensively studied.