Sex-related differences in outcomes after vascular interventions

Abstract

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects a growing number of women, with a prevalence equal to that of men. Still, little is known about sex-specific differences in disease manifestations of PAD and how these differences in presentation impact outcomes of surgical and endovascular intervention. Women have also been consistently underrepresented in clinical trials evaluating treatment options for vascular disease. Thus, many of the practice guidelines in place today were generated from clinical trial data that either included a small number of women or excluded them entirely, and, consequently, whose findings may not be applicable to female patients. This review discusses key differences in outcomes based on sex for intervention of lower extremity, carotid, and abdominal aortic aneurysmal (AAA) disease. Elucidating sex-specific differences in disease manifestation and outcomes will provide insight into ways to optimize patient care, particularly for women afflicted with vascular disease.