Compared with aspirin monotherapy, clopidogrel plus cilostazol reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients with peripheral artery disease (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.20-0.72).
Meta-Analysis (n=44,532)
Do various antithrombotic regimens reduce major adverse cardiac events in patients with peripheral artery disease compared to aspirin monotherapy?
Clopidogrel plus cilostazol or clopidogrel monotherapy may offer a balanced efficacy and safety profile for antithrombotic therapy in patients with peripheral artery disease.
Hazard Ratio: 0.37 (95% CI 0.2–0.72)
BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic regimen for peripheral artery disease, balancing thromboembolic and bleeding risks, remains uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of antithrombotic regimens in patients with peripheral artery disease. METHODS: We reviewed randomized controlled trials evaluating antithrombotic therapies for peripheral artery disease, including aspirin, P2Y12 inhibitors, cilostazol, and rivaroxaban. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. The secondary outcomes included major adverse limb events, defined as a composite of acute limb ischemia, revascularization, and amputation. The safety outcome was major bleeding, primarily assessed using the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction criteria. We performed a network meta-analysis to compare antithrombotic regimens. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized controlled trials involving 44 532 participants were included. Compared with aspirin monotherapy, the following were associated with lower risks of major adverse cardiac events: clopidogrel, 75 mg/d, plus cilostazol, 200 mg/d (hazard ratio HR, 0.37 95% CI, 0.20-0.72), clopidogrel, 75 mg/d, monotherapy (HR, 0.80 95% CI, 0.67-0.96), aspirin plus low-dose rivaroxaban, 2.5 mg twice daily (HR, 0.81 95% CI, 0.72-0.92), and aspirin plus ticagrelor, 60 to 90 mg twice daily (HR, 0.81 95% CI, 0.69-0.96). Aspirin plus rivaroxaban or ticagrelor showed a lower risk of major adverse limb events compared with aspirin alone. Rivaroxaban monotherapy, 5 mg twice daily, and aspirin plus rivaroxaban or clopidogrel were associated with a higher risk of major bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Clopidogrel plus cilostazol or clopidogrel monotherapy might be a balanced strategy in patients with peripheral artery disease.
Hiruma et al. (Mon,) conducted a meta-analysis in peripheral artery disease (n=44,532). Clopidogrel plus cilostazol vs. Aspirin monotherapy was evaluated on major adverse cardiac events, defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.20-0.72). Compared with aspirin monotherapy, clopidogrel plus cilostazol reduced the risk of major adverse cardiac events in patients with peripheral artery disease (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.20-0.72).