Low-dose aspirin combined with dipyridamole versus anticoagulants after femoropopliteal percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Abstract

To investigate whether anticoagulation or platelet inhibition treatment provides better prevention of reobstruction after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). In a controlled study, 160 patients received either oral anticoagulants or a combination of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (25 mg) and dipyridamole (200 mg) (ASAD) twice daily for 1 year after successful femoropopliteal PTA. Compliance was comparable. The patients in the two groups had similar clinical and angiographic characteristics. Patency was assessed with noninvasive methods 1 day and then 3, 6, and 12 months after PTA and was confirmed at angiography at the end of the study in 112 patients. Patency in patients who received anticoagulants was 53% and was not statistically significantly different from 69% in patients who received ASAD (P = .18). With anticoagulants, there were four bleeding complications (one was fatal); with ASAD, only five minor complications occurred. ASAD is at least as effective as anticoagulants for secondary prevention of obstruction after PTA but has less severe side effects.