The rate of lower extremity amputations appears to have decreased significantly between 2000 and 2008 among patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to findings from a review of CMS data. Among patients with PAD, the rate of lower extremity amputations per 100,000 patients decreased from 7,258 to 5,790.

Abstract: Journal of the American College of Cardiology, November 20, 2012.