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 .
A human model of platelet–leucocyte adhesive interactions during controlled ischaemia in patients with peripheral vascular disease
Aims : In humans , little is known about the effects of platelet – leucocyte interactions on blood viscosity and microvascular perfusion . This study tested the hypotheses that ( 1 ) activation and interactions between platelets and leucocytes may have an impact on microvascular blood viscosity and perfusion in patients with stage II peripheral arterial occlusive disease , and ( 2 ) a powerful antiplatelet drug such as Clopidogrel might help to improve microvascular perfusion by reducing platelet – leucocyte activation and blood viscosity . Methods : Plasma concentrations of certain markers of leucocyte and platelet activation , in addition to low and high shear rate blood viscosity , were measured before and after a repeated exercise treadmill test . Functional parameters including maximum walking time , transcutaneous oxygen pressure , and half recovery time were also measured . Results : Blocking platelet activation only with a single dose of Clopidogrel ( 300 mg ) did not improve microvascular blood viscosity and perfusion after repeated exercise , but a significant improvement in microvascular perfusion during controlled ischaemia and a lack of post exercise increase in low shear rate blood viscosity was achieved when both platelet and leucocyte activation were suppressed by a relatively longer treatment with Clopidogrel ( four days ) . Conclusions : Clopidogrel , by inhibiting platelet activation and aggregation , might also block the vicious cycle of leucocyte – platelet activation , thus improving the functioning of the microcirculation
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 .