Use of antiplatelets and lipid lowering therapy in patients with peripheral vascular disease

Authors

• Abdulaziz S. Aldawood, Department of Critical Care and Medicine, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, 241149, Riyadh 11322, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Tel. +966 (1) 2253378. Fax. +966 (1) 2520088 Ext. 2498. E-mail: aldawooda{at}hotmail.com
• Roman Jaeschke, St. Joseph Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the use of antiplatelet and lipid lowering therapy among patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery, and to compare their use with that reported among a similar population of patients in Canada. METHODS: Chart review of a cohort of 52 patients undergoing peripheral vascular surgery. The study was carried out at King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in May 2000. RESULTS: On discharge, less than 50% of the patients received any antiplatelet or antithrombotic medication. Only 13% of the patients received lipid-lowering therapy. Those findings parallel those of Canadian publications. CONCLUSION: Current literature supports the use of anti platelet and lipid-lowering therapy among patients with peripheral vascular disease. In King Fahad Hopsital, National Guard, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the use of those beneficial interventions is likely sub-optimal. Factors other than randomized clinical trail derived evidence likely influence practice and behavior. Whether dissemination of evidence may change such a pattern of behavior requires further study.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

585

Last Page

588

Recommended Citation

Aldawood, Abdulaziz S. and Jaeschke, Roman (2002) "Use of antiplatelets and lipid lowering therapy in patients with peripheral vascular disease," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 23: Iss. 5, Article 21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/1658-3175.1711