[Antithrombotic drugs in peripheral arterial diseases]

The efficacy of antithrombotic drugs in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease remains a subject of discussion. A recent Dutch trial continues to question the value of anticoagulants in this indication. There is very little definitive data concerning anti-platelet agents. Controlled trials remain few in number and scarcely show spectacular results on the spontaneous course of arterial disease of the limbs. The hope aroused in certain studies of the use of prostaglandins in severe ischaemia remains to be confirmed in a well controlled trial. Practitioners of percutaneous angioplasty usually prescribe anticoagulants or anti-aggregants to decrease the risk of an early recurrence. There are also arguments which justify the administration of aspirin after endarterectomy.