Atherosclerotic narrowing or occlusion of vessels in the lower limbs results in peripheral vascular disease. Disease severity is related to the extent of vessel involvement and the available collateral circulation, and the most common manifestation of peripheral vascular disease is intermittent claudication. Leading investigators at the 48th Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology [New Orleans, US; March 1999] presented new results from several studies which aimed to treat intermittent claudication and other peripheral vascular disorders.