Antiplatelet agents have a beneficial effect in reducing all cause mortality and fatal cardiovascular events in patients with IC .
BACKGROUND Peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) is common and is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis .
Patients with symptoms of intermittent claudication ( IC ) are at increased risk of cardiovascular events ( myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) and stroke ) and of both cardiovascular and all cause mortality .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of antiplatelet agents in reducing mortality ( all cause and cardiovascular ) and cardiovascular events in patients with intermittent claudication .
[Double-blind study of the effect of dipyridamole in patients with intermittent claudication].
32 patients ( mean age 65 years , range 51 - 75 years ) were included in this controlled , double blind study to evaluate the effect of dipyridamole in patients with intermittent claudication . Following a run-in phase of one month , 15 patients received 400 mg dipyridamole per day and 17 patients placebo . Patient characteristics ( risk factors , age , clinical and apparative tests ) of both groups did not differ significantly before and during the study period . Mean pain free und absolute walking distance on the treadmill ( 3.2 km/h , 12.5 degrees gradient ) increased significantly in both groups during study period ( p < 0.001 and p < 0.01 ) . Explanations are more intensive physical activity and increasing adaptation to treadmill exercise . However , dipyridamole did not induce a significantly longer walking distance in comparison with placebo . The working hypothesis that the drug with inhibiting properties of thrombocyte function prolongs walking distance in intermittent claudication , could not be confirmed
Antiplatelet agents have a beneficial effect in reducing all cause mortality and fatal cardiovascular events in patients with IC .
BACKGROUND Peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) is common and is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis .
Patients with symptoms of intermittent claudication ( IC ) are at increased risk of cardiovascular events ( myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) and stroke ) and of both cardiovascular and all cause mortality .
OBJECTIVES To determine the effectiveness of antiplatelet agents in reducing mortality ( all cause and cardiovascular ) and cardiovascular events in patients with intermittent claudication .