[Clinical practice of dual antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous peripheral arterial interventions in Germany].

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Guideline recommendations regarding antithrombotic treatment with two antiplatelet agents (dual antiplatelet treatment) after peripheral interventional procedures are vague due to missing data from clinical trials.

METHODS: 212 vascular centres in germany were evaluated regarding dual antiplatelet treatment using a standardized questionnaire with differentiation of localisation of the treated artery and interventional methods being used.

RESULTS: 89 (42%) questionnaires returned completed. Application and duration of dual antiplatelet treatment after peripheral interventional procedures were quite different regarding interventional methods used (PTA: percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, DCB-PTA: drug coated ballon, Stenting, DES: drug eluting stent, Atherectomy). Mean duration of dual antiplatelet treatment were: PTA iliacal/femoro-popliteal 0 month, crural 1 month; DCB-Intervention and stenting: iliacal 1 month, femoro-popliteal 1,5 months, crural 2 months; DE-stenting iliacal 1,5 months, femoro-popliteal/crural 3 months and after femoro-popliteal / crural atherectomy 1 month.

CONCLUSION: Data about dual antiplatelet treatment after peripheral interventional procedures are sparse.