J.Jpn. Surg. Soc.. 97(7): 520-525, 1996

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Feature topic

MEDICAL TREATMENT OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OBLITERANS (ASO)

The medical treatment of ASO should be approached in three ways. The first should be to minimize the risk factors of “atherosclerosis”, the second should be the treatment of leg ischemia, and the third should be the managernent of other ischemic organs. Among the risk factors involved, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia are frequently evident. Smoking must be given up and the other diseases should be controlled by diet, exercise and drug therapy respectively. In order to relieve symptoms such as cold sensation and intermittent claudication, drug therapy such as antiplatelet therapy and vasodilatory drugs are useful in the treatment of some patients with ASO. DaiIy physical exercises are also effective in extending the walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication. This exercise is even more effective when it is combined with drug therapy. The prevention of vascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke and the prevention of vascular death are very important in patients with ASO. It can therefore be concluded that antiplatelet therapy is not only effective in relieving symptoms, but also in reducing the incidence of vascular events and death.

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