Thromb Haemost 2009; 101(06): 1032-1040
DOI: 10.1160/TH08-08-0518
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Peripheral arterial disease and Virchow’s triad

Philip C. Bennett
1   University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
2   Department of Vascular Surgery, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
,
Stanley H. Silverman
2   Department of Vascular Surgery, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
,
Paramjit S. Gill
3   Department of Primary Care and General Practice University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK
,
Gregory Y. H. Lip
1   University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 11 August 2008

Accepted after major revision: 07 March 2008

Publication Date:
24 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important global health-care problem associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. This disease is an important manifestation of atherosclerosis and the pathophysiological processes involved in its development, progression and complications are atherothrombosis and thromboembolism. Over 150 years ago, Virchow described a triad of abnormalities (abnormal blood flow, abnormal vessel wall and abnormal blood constituents) associated with thrombus formation (thrombogenesis). An improvement in biochemical techniques has allowed quantification of various components of Virchow’s triad, and as a consequence, there has been increasing interest in the measurement of such biomarkers in understanding the development and progression of PAD, as well as its symptomatic complications. This review discusses quantifiable components of Virchow’s triad that have been associated with PAD and their clinical utility as risk factors for PAD.