Antithrombotic Therapy In Peripheral Artery Disease

Publication Date: February 1, 2012
Last Updated: March 14, 2022

Recommendations

Diagnosis Of DVT

For persons with asymptomatic PAD, we suggest aspirin 75 to 100 mg daily over no aspirin therapy. (2, B)
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Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Symptomatic PAD

For secondary prevention in patients with symptomatic PAD, we recommend one of the two following antithrombotic regimens to be continued long term over no antithrombotic treatment: aspirin 75 to 100 mg daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily. (1, A)
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We suggest not to use dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel. (2, B)
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We recommend not to use an antiplatelet agent with moderate intensity warfarin. (1, B)
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Antithrombotic Therapy for the Management of Patients With Claudication

For patients with intermittent claudication refractory to exercise therapy and smoking cessation, we suggest the use of cilostazol in addition to previously recommended antithrombotic therapies (aspirin 75-100 mg daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily); (2, C)
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we suggest against the use of pentoxifylline, heparinoids, or prostanoids. (2, C)
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Critical Limb Ischemia

For patients with symptomatic PAD and critical leg ischemia/rest pain who are not candidates for vascular intervention, we suggest the use of prostanoids in addition to previously recommended antithrombotic therapies (aspirin 75-100 mg daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily). (2, C)
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Acute Limb Ischemia

In patients with acute limb ischemia due to arterial emboli or thrombosis, we suggest immediate systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin over no anticoagulation; (2, C)
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we suggest reperfusion therapy (surgery or intraarterial thrombolysis) over no reperfusion therapy; (2, C)
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and we recommend surgery over intraarterial thrombolysis. (1, B)
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In patients undergoing intraarterial thrombolysis, we suggest rt-PA or urokinase over streptokinase. (2, C)
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Endovascular Revascularization in Patients With Symptomatic PAD

For patients undergoing peripheral artery PTA with or without stenting, we recommend long-term aspirin (75-100 mg/d) or clopidogrel (75 mg/d). (1, A)
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For patients undergoing peripheral artery PTA with stenting, we suggest single rather than dual antiplatelet therapy. (2, C)
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Antithrombotic Therapy Following] Peripheral Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

We recommend one of the following antithrombotic regimens to be continued long term in most patients following peripheral artery bypass graft surgery over no antithrombotic treatment: aspirin 75 to 100 mg daily or clopidogrel 75 mg daily. (1, A)
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We recommend single antiplatelet therapy over antiplatelet therapy and warfarin. (1, B)
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In patients undergoing below-knee bypass graft surgery with prosthetic grafts, we suggest clopidogrel 75 mg/d plus aspirin (75-100 mg/d) over aspirin alone for 1 year. (2, C)
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For all other patients, we suggest single over dual antiplatelet therapy. (2, B)
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Carotid Artery Stenosis

For persons with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, we suggest aspirin 75 to 100 mg daily over no aspirin therapy. (2, B)
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In patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis (including recent carotid endarterectomy), we recommend long-term antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel [75 mg once daily] or aspirinextended- release dipyridamole [25 mg/200 mg bid] or aspirin [75-100 mg once daily]) over no antiplatelet therapy. (1, A)
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We suggest either clopidogrel (75 mg once daily) or aspirinextended- release dipyridamole (25 mg/200 mg bid) over aspirin (75-100 mg/day). (2, B)
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Recommendation Grading

Overview

Title

Antithrombotic Therapy In Peripheral Artery Disease

Authoring Organization

Publication Month/Year

February 1, 2012

Last Updated Month/Year

January 8, 2024

Document Type

Guideline

External Publication Status

Published

Country of Publication

US

Document Objectives

This guideline focuses on antithrombotic drug therapies for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease as well as for the relief of lower-extremity symptoms and critical ischemia in persons with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Target Patient Population

Patients with peripheral arterial disease

Inclusion Criteria

Female, Male, Adolescent, Adult, Older adult

Health Care Settings

Ambulatory, Home health, Hospice, Hospital, Long term care, Outpatient

Intended Users

Nurse, nurse practitioner, physician, physician assistant

Scope

Prevention, Management, Treatment

Diseases/Conditions (MeSH)

D000925 - Anticoagulants, D002318 - Cardiovascular Diseases, D058729 - Peripheral Arterial Disease

Keywords

anticoagulation, peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.), Antithrombotic Agents, Peripheral artery disease, Anticoagulation

Supplemental Methodology Resources

Data Supplement