Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects millions of patients in the United States and has been a key focus of research for our group at the Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA). PAD is caused by genetic factors as well as hyperlipidemia, smoking, hypertension and diabetes. Care for patients with PAD focuses on medical optimization, mechanical optimization, wound care and surgical revascularization, without which patients have a large degree of impairment resulting from chronic wounds and amputations.
