Risk factors for PVD include diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, age, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and a family history of heart or vascular disease. More than half the people with PVD experience leg pain, numbness or other symptoms, but many dismiss these as signs of aging and don’t seek medical help. And, while PVD is currently under diagnosed and under treated, its incidence has increased over the past decade, reflecting both the aging U.S. population and the continuing growth in the number of patients affected by diabetes, hypertension and tobacco use.

Approximately 17.0 million people, or 6.2% of the U.S. population, have diabetes that, if left untreated may lead to kidney damage and, ultimately, end-stage renal disease. The number of patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, and thus requiring hemodialysis, is increasing by 3 to 5% per year. Their arteriovenous grafts and fistulas, used for hemodialysis, commonly need to be de-clotted 1 to 2 times per year.