Prevalence of chronic opioid use in patients with peripheral arterial disease undergoing revascularization

Chronic opiate use was common in patients with PAD with a prevalence of approximately 35%, both prior to and following revascularization. Revascularization was associated with a termination of chronic opiate use in less than 15% of patients with PreCOU. Additionally, 10% of patients who did not use opiates chronically before their revascularization did so afterwards. Patients with PAD requiring intervention represent a high risk group with regards to chronic opiate use. Increased diligence in identifying opioid use among PAD patients and optimizing the use of non-narcotic adjunct pain medications may result in a lower prevalence of chronic opiate use and its attendant adverse effects.