Background: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the most underdiagnosed, underestimated and undertreated of the atherosclerotic vascular diseases despite its poor prognosis. There may be racial or contextual differences in the Asia-Pacific region as to epidemiology, availability of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, and even patient treatment response. The Asian Pacific Society of Atherosclerosis and Vascular Diseases (APSAVD) thus coordinated the development of an Asia-Pacific Consensus Statement (APCS) on the Management of PAD. Objectives: The APSAVD aimed to accomplish the following: 1) determine the applicability of the 2016 AHA/ ACC guidelines on the Management of Patients with Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease to the Asia-Pacific region; 2) review Asia-Pacific literature; and 3) increase the awareness of PAD. Methodology: A Steering Committee was organized to oversee development of the APCS, appoint a Technical Working Group (TWG) and Consensus Panel (CP). The TWG appraised the relevance of the 2016 AHA/ACC PAD Guideline and proposed recommendations which were reviewed by the CP using a modified Delphi technique. Results: A total of 91 recommendations were generated covering history and physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment of PAD-3 new recommendations, 31 adaptations and 57 adopted statements. This Asia-Pacific Consensus Statement on the Management of PAD constitutes the first for the Asia-Pacific Region. It is intended for use by health practitioners involved in preventing, diagnosing and treating patients with PAD and ultimately the patients and their families themselves.

To optimize the warfarin dose, a population-specific pharmacogenomic algorithm was developed using multiple linear regression model with vitamin K intake and cytochrome P450 IIC polypeptide9 (CYP2C9(*)2 and (*)3), vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1(*)3, (*)4, D36Y and -1639 G>A) polymorphism profile of subjects who attained therapeutic international normalized ratio as predictors. New algorithm was validated by correlating with Wadelius, International Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Consortium and Gage algorithms; and with the therapeutic dose (r=0.64, P<0.0001). New algorithm was more accurate (Overall: 0.89 vs 0.51, warfarin resistant: 0.96 vs 0.77 and warfarin sensitive: 0.80 vs 0.24), more sensitive (0.87 vs 0.52) and specific (0.93 vs 0.50) compared with clinical data. It has significantly reduced the rate of overestimation (0.06 vs 0.50) and underestimation (0.13 vs 0.48). To conclude, this population-specific algorithm has greater clinical utility in optimizing the warfarin dose, thereby decreasing the adverse effects of suboptimal dose.

Thrombohemorrhagic balance is maintained by complicated interactions between the coagulation and fibrinolytic system, platelets, and the vessel wall. Dr. Virchow provided approach for investigating and managing thrombotic disorders. He proposed stasis, vascular injury, and hypercoagulability as causes for thrombosis. In 1965, antithrombin deficiency was described. After two decades, protein C and protein S deficiencies, mutations of factor V Leiden, and factor II were described. If we distinguish patients at high risk and low risk of thrombosis, we can optimize therapeutic decisions. There is currently no evidence to say that laboratory abnormality should influence intensity of anticoagulation. In this article we reviewed the risk factors and need for thrombophilia screening in patients. Screening general population for thrombophilia is not justified or recommended at this time.

The carotid body tumor is a rare neoplasm that has generated much literature over the last century, and for which continued controversy exists regarding natural history, biologic behavior, proper technique of excision, and the risk of morbidity and mortality. The present study reviewed a 16-year experience of managing carotid body paraganglioma (CBP) between 1988 and 2004. There were 10 consecutive patients aged between 18-42 years with tumors and median follow-up was 10 years. Preoperative information was derived from spiral CT scanning, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), color Doppler imaging (CDI), and four-vessel digital subtraction arteriography. In five patients the tumor excision was attempted before they were referred to our tertiary care hospital. Two patients had bilateral tumors. Four patients had preoperative embolization, and blood loss was minimal, and excision was relatively easier in them. There was difficulty in deglutition (nasal and laryngeal regurgitation) in three patients with large tumors and who required nasogastric tube feeding (1 to 3 weeks). Surgical planning and prediction of peri-operative complications can be obtained by digital subtraction angiography, spiral CT angiography and color Doppler imaging. The peri-operative blood loss can be reduced by preoperative embolization.

Objective: This study investigates whether micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) is effective and acceptable without compression or surgical intervention for the management of chronic venous insufficiency of the leg (CVIL) in the primary care setting of a tropical country such as India. Methods: A prospective observational study on patients with early CVIL drawn from the clinical practice of randomly selected physicians distributed across India. Patients received MPFF 1000 mg/day for six months without compression stockings or surgery. The primary outcome was a change in their CEAP (clinical, aetiological, anatomical, pathophysiological) classification of CVIL severity. Secondary outcomes were changes in leg oedema, symptom intensity and quality of life. Results: Of the 308 patients recruited by 72 physicians, 166 (53.9%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 48.3-59.5) had regression in the CEAP severity stage. Mean leg circumference in those with oedema decreased by 2 cm (95% CI 1.7-2.3, P <0.05). Patient-assessed mean percentage decrease in symptom intensity was 32.3 for cramps (28.9-35.7, P <0.01); 32.4 for heaviness (29.8-35.7, P <0.01); 28.2 for pain (25.6-30.8, P <0.01); and 21.5 for swelling (18.7-24.3, P <0.01). Quality of life improved by 21.7% (16.9-26.5, P <0.01) in the physical domains, 25.9% (20.8-31.0, P <0.01) in the social domains, and 19.2% (14.7-23.7, P <0.01) in the psychological domains. Conclusions: When used alone, MPFF was effective and acceptable for the management of CVIL in primary care. This may be useful in tropical climates where compliance with compression stockings is poor and access to surgery limited.