Antithrombotic Strategies for Patients With Peripheral Artery Disease

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) experience major cardiovascular and limb events. Antithrombotic strategies including antiplatelets and anticoagulants remain a cornerstone of treatment and prevention. Recent trials have shown heterogeneity in the response to antithrombotic therapies in patients presenting primarily with PAD when compared to those presenting primarily with coronary artery disease. In addition, there is observed heterogeneity with regards to the effects of antiplatelets and anticoagulants with respect to different outcomes including cardiovascular and major adverse limb events. This, coupled with risks of bleeding, requires a patient-centered and holistic assessment of benefit-risk when selecting antithrombotic strategies for patients with PAD. A global multidisciplinary work group was convened to evaluate antithrombotic strategies in PAD and to summarize the current state of the art. Common clinical scenarios around antithrombotic decision making were provided. Finally, insights with regard to implementation future investigation were described.