Long-Term Claudication Comparative Effectiveness Strategies of Care: Final 18 Month Outcomes from the CLEVER Study

Over 1 million Americans have peripheral artery disease (PAD) and symptom-limiting claudication. The NHLBI-sponsored CLEVER study of patients with aorto-iliac PAD and claudication demonstrated better functional (treadmill) performance for SE compared with ST as the six-month primary outcome. Quality of life results favored ST over SE. Yet, the long-term durability of these outcomes may better define the benefit and risk of these strategies.