Abstract
Peripheral artery diseases (PAD) comprise a wide range of pathology affecting all vascular beds outside of the coronary circulation. Here, we focus on the antiplatelet management of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) secondary to atherosclerosis. Alongside the ageing demographic of industrialized nations, the prevalence of PAD is increasing significantly in line with its association to smoking and diabetes. As the pharmacotherapeutic armamentarium against coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease has been enhanced, the increasing survival of arteriopaths has also allowed the sequelae of PAD to become more manifest. The use of antiplatelet agents for PAD has been shown to significantly attenuate the risk of vascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and nonfatal stroke. As well as reducing adverse cardiovascular events, antiplatelet therapy also has a significant role in maintaining vessel patency following revascularization procedures. We critically appraise the evidence behind the recent class IA recommendation for antiplatelet therapy in individuals with symptomatic LEAD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Antiplatelet Therapy in Cardiovascular Disease |
| Publisher | WILEY-BLACKWELL |
| Pages | 245-252 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781118493984 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781118275757 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jun 2014 |
Keywords
- Antiplatelet
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel
- Dual antiplatelet therapy
- Intermittent claudication
- Lower extremity arterial disease
- Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty
- Peripheral arterial disease
