Summary
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important global health-care problem associated
with considerable morbidity and mortality. This disease is an important manifestation
of atherosclerosis and the pathophysiological processes involved in its development,
progression and complications are atherothrombosis and thromboembolism. Over 150 years
ago, Virchow described a triad of abnormalities (abnormal blood flow, abnormal vessel
wall and abnormal blood constituents) associated with thrombus formation (thrombogenesis).
An improvement in biochemical techniques has allowed quantification of various components
of Virchow’s triad, and as a consequence, there has been increasing interest in the
measurement of such biomarkers in understanding the development and progression of
PAD, as well as its symptomatic complications. This review discusses quantifiable
components of Virchow’s triad that have been associated with PAD and their clinical
utility as risk factors for PAD.
Keywords
Arterial thrombosis - clinical studies - risk factors