Effect of aspirin versus clopidogrel on walking exercise performance in intermittent claudication-a double-blind randomized multicenter trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

This study sought to determine possible effects of different antiplatelet therapies on walking exercise performance in intermittent claudication. Aspirin, in contrast to clopidogrel, interferes with processes that increase collateral conductance in an ischemic animal model.

Methods and results

Patients with stable intermittent claudication were recruited from 21 centers in Switzerland and Germany and randomized to either aspirin or clopidogrel treatment. They participated in a 3-month rehabilitation program (electronically monitored, home-based, 1-hour daily walking sessions at a speed of approximately 120 steps/min). Walking distance was assessed by treadmill tests (3.2 km/h; 12% grade) at baseline and after 12 weeks. A total of 229 of 259 patients with a mean ag

SUBMITTER: Singer E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3487315 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature