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 .
The Effects of Cilostazol on Peripheral Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Background Evidence from diabetic animal models suggests that cilostazol , a cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of claudication , is efficacious in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy , although this is unproven in humans . The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of cilostazol on neuropathic symptomatology in diabetic patients with peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) . Methods Diabetic patients with PAD were prospect ively recruited to a r and omized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial . Baseline clinical data were recorded prior to trial commencement following medical optimization . Neurological assessment included the Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Scoring system ( TCNS ) and vibration perception thresholds ( VPT ) with a neurothesiometer  at baseline , 6 weeks , and 24 weeks . Results Twenty-six patients were recruited from December 2004 to January 2006 , which included 20 males . Baseline patient allocation to treatment arms was matched for age , sex , and medical comorbidities . There was no significant difference in neurological assessment between the treatment groups using the TCNS and VPT at 6 and 24 weeks . Conclusions Despite extensive animal-based evidence that cilostazol attenuates neuropathic symptomatology , our results do not support this effect in human diabetic PAD patients
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 .