Can Measuring Levels of Serum Adhesion Proteins Replace the Ankle Brachial Index in the Fight Against Peripheral Artery Disease?

Author

Mark K. Massey, University of the PacificFollow

Date of Award

4-1-2019

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Department

Physician Assistant Education

First Advisor

Mark Christiansen

Abstract

If you knew that you were going to have one of both of your legs amputated due to a preventable medical condition in the future, then any sane person would want to find a way of preventing such a disabling and life changing event. Currently peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a growing threat to health in modern times, which can lead to the situation mentioned above. Due to diet and lifestyle risk factors, PAD incidence has increased as the world has become more developed.1 Mankind is unlikely to stop its march onward towards ever more developed states of living, which likely will mean even less healthy diets and more sedentary lifestyles in the years to come. With the trends as they are, with more than eight million Americans currently suffering from PAD and that number actively rising worldwide it is clear that something must be done.2 While it is not currently agreed upon that PAD screening should be conducted in asymptomatic individuals, this is primarily due to the infeasibility of accurately conducting such screens. A secondary hurdle is that screening is something that is typically only conducted when there is an established methodology for preventing the progression of, or reversing the damage done by, the condition. With things as they are, it might seem that there is no hope for PAD screening, but a new age is dawning thanks to cutting-edge research.

Recommended Citation

Massey, Mark K., "Can Measuring Levels of Serum Adhesion Proteins Replace the Ankle Brachial Index in the Fight Against Peripheral Artery Disease?" (2019). Physician Assistant Capstones. 31.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/pa-capstones/31