What is the risk of death annually in patients classified as having 'severe' peripheral arterial disease?

Patients classified as having 'severe' peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at an elevated risk of death due to the systemic nature of the disease, which indicates significant vascular issues beyond just the extremities. The condition often denotes advanced atherosclerosis, which can lead to critical ischemia and potentially non-healing ulcers or gangrene in the limbs. Importantly, these individuals are not just at risk for limb loss; they frequently have a higher risk of cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which contributes to their increased mortality.

The annual risk of death for this population typically falls within the range of 20% to 25% due to the multifactorial nature of their health challenges. This includes their higher prevalence of comorbidities such as coronary artery disease and diabetes, which complicate their clinical profile and affect outcomes. Recognizing this significant annual mortality risk helps in triaging care and implementing aggressive management strategies aimed at improving survival and quality of life for these patients.