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 .
DRUG-INDUCED INHIBITION OF PLATELET FUNCTION DELAYS PROGRESSION OF PERIPHERAL OCCLUSIVE ARTERIAL DISEASE: A Prospective Double-Blind Arteriographically Controlled Trial
240 patients were admitted to a double-blind study to determine the effect of long-term treatment with platelet-function inhibiting agents on occlusive arterial disease in the lower extremities . Patients were r and omised into 1 of 3 treatment groups : aspirin 330 mg ; dipyridamole 75 mg and aspirin 330 mg ; or matching placebo 3 times daily . The duration of treatment was 2 years . Arteriography was carried out at the beginning of the study and 2 years later or before if deterioration was observed . 199 patients completed the study according to the trial protocol . The serial arteriograms were assessed in pairs qualitatively , by means of simple comparative viewing , and semiquantitatively with Bollinger 's score system . Progression of the disease was most pronounced in the placebo-treated group , less so in the aspirin-treated group , and least of all in the dipyridamole- and -aspirin group . Patients who smoke and those with hypertension may benefit most from treatment with the 2 preparations under investigation
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 .