title: A critical review of the literature on long-term treatment of peripheral arteriosclerosis with oral anticoagulants.
abstract: Protracted administration of oral anticoagulant agents to patients presenting symptoms of peripheral arteriosclerosis is a treatment in widespread use in the Netherlands a Germany. However, a critical perusal of the available literature reveals a scarcity of objective data which might confirm the value of this treatment. It may be concluded from the data in the literature that protracted administration of anticoagulants may be useful only in case of stenosis of the superficial femoral artery. It is pointed out that a statistically correct study of this subject, with use of objective parameters, is urgently necessary.
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants