Guideline-based diagnostics and treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease: Updates in the current guidelines, implications of the German hospital reform and practice-relevant knowledge for all surgeons Leitlinienbasierte Diagnostik und Therapie der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit: Neuerungen der aktuellen Leitlinie, Auswirkungen der Krankenhausreform und praxisrelevantes Wissen für alle Chirurgen
Mojica Crespo R, Rother U, Steinbauer M (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Journal
Book Volume: 97
Pages Range: 251-260
Journal Issue: 3
DOI: 10.1007/s00104-026-02451-y
Abstract
Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD) is a frequent manifestation of atherosclerosis associated with high morbidity and mortality. This article summarizes the current recommendations of the German S3 guidelines “Diagnostics, treatment and follow-up of PAOD” (Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany, AWMF 2024) and discusses the implications of the ongoing hospital reform. Key diagnostic modalities include patient history taking, clinical examination, ankle-brachial index measurement and duplex ultrasonography. In cases of suspected chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the WIfI score enables a structured risk assessment for amputation. Treatment management emphasizes strict secondary prevention (low-density lipoprotein, LDL < 3,1 mmol/l, smoking cessation), supervised exercise training and optimized antithrombotic therapy (clopidogrel is preferred; dual pathway inhibition for high-risk patients or after revascularization). Revascularization can be performed endovascularly or surgically and increasingly in specialized centers. The German Hospital Reform supports the centralization of complex procedures and the expansion of outpatient care, thereby underscoring the pivotal role of nonvascular surgical departments in early detection and coordinated referral.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Mojica Crespo, R., Rother, U., & Steinbauer, M. (2026). Guideline-based diagnostics and treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease: Updates in the current guidelines, implications of the German hospital reform and practice-relevant knowledge for all surgeons Leitlinienbasierte Diagnostik und Therapie der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit: Neuerungen der aktuellen Leitlinie, Auswirkungen der Krankenhausreform und praxisrelevantes Wissen für alle Chirurgen. Die Chirurgie, 97(3), 251-260. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00104-026-02451-y
MLA:
Mojica Crespo, Roland, Ulrich Rother, and Markus Steinbauer. "Guideline-based diagnostics and treatment of peripheral arterial occlusive disease: Updates in the current guidelines, implications of the German hospital reform and practice-relevant knowledge for all surgeons Leitlinienbasierte Diagnostik und Therapie der peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit: Neuerungen der aktuellen Leitlinie, Auswirkungen der Krankenhausreform und praxisrelevantes Wissen für alle Chirurgen." Die Chirurgie 97.3 (2026): 251-260.
BibTeX: Download