Introduction: Peripheral artery disease is a global public health issue. It is a consequence of atherosclerosis. The condition develops insidiously and gradually, yet it can culminate in the critical limb ischemia. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to present a review of the literature on peripheral arterial disease of the lower limb, with a view to defining the role of interval muscle training in the management of patients with this disease, describe the major arteries of the lower limb, identifying the use of this exercise in Slovenian healthcare, and outlining the role of nurses in the management of patients with peripheral arterial disease. Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline, Cinahl ULTIMATE, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, COBISS and Google Scholar databases for literature in English and Slovenian. 32 articles that were less than 10 years old were included in the analysis for the review. Findings: The abdominal aorta is the main artery from which the arteries that feed the lower limb run. Supervised exercise therapy involves 30-60 minutes of interval walking, until calf pain, with rest periods in between. It should be performed 2-3 times a week for 12 weeks under supervision. If this approach combined with pharmacological treatment does not bring about improvement, the optimal treatment option is a revascularisation procedure. The role of the nurse is to educate patients and their families, promote a healthy lifestyle, participate in the performance of intravascular and conventional surgical procedures and finally evaluate and participate in the overall care of the patient after the procedures. Professional guidelines in Slovenia recommend supervised exercise therapy but does not provide supervision due to lack of health workers. Discussion and conclusion: Interval muscle training is the first choice of treatment for arterial peripheral disease of the lower limb and can increase claudication distance and avoid the revascularisation process. It is ideal to tailor the programme individually and to carry it out under the supervision of a doctor, physiotherapist or nurse with specific skills. The nurse plays a key role in the interdisciplinary team in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease and needs additional training to work successfully in vascular teams. The Slovenian healthcare system should improve access to and supervision of interval muscle training.
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