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 .
Aspirin in peripheral arterial disease: breakthrough or pitfall?
BACKGROUND This paper introduces a proof-of-concept trial in progress , supposedly providing new important information on anti-platelet drugs used in patients with peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) . The Arteriogenesis Competence Network ( Art . Net . ) of the Universities of Basel , Berlin , and Freiburg could show in animal models that Aspirin ( ASA ) , in contrast to Clopidogrel , inhibits the formation of an appropriate collateral network ( arteriogenesis ) . This trial is supposed to reproduce the animal data in man . MATERIAL S AND METHODS In a prospect i ve , double-blind , parallel-group , bi-national ( D , CH ) , multicentre trial , 250 patients will be r and omised to either 100 mg ASA or 75 mg Clopidogrel once daily . Patients will then enter a three months structured rehabilitation programme with daily physical training supposed to induce arteriogenesis . The claudication distances will be tested as the primary endpoint at baseline , 6 weeks , and at 3 months . Also , the 24h physical activity profile of all patients will be electronically documented . CONCLUSIONS This trial will provide information on potential disadvantages when using ASA in PAD patients . If data emerging from animal pharmacology can be reproduced in man , the present st and ard scheme of anti-aggregant treatment in PAD patients has to be reconsidered
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 .