Antiplatelet Drugs in the Management of Thrombotic/Ischemic Events in Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a problem of substantial public health importance and an important hallmark of generalized atherosclerosis involving, in particular, coronary and cerebral circulation. The risk factors for PAD are similar to the risk factors for atherosclerosis; thus, smoking should be stopped, and hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia should be treated. In addition, antiplatelet therapy remains a key intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk in PAD. In patients with PAD who have clinical evidence of concomitant coronary or cerebrovascular disease, aspirin or clopidogrel would be first-line treatment. However, the data supporting the use of antiplatelet drugs in patients with PAD who do not have a history of other cardiovascular disorders are still inconclusive and further study is necessary to explore this issue.