Use of antiplatelets and lipid lowering therapy in patients with peripheral vascular disease undergoing surgery [corrected].
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Aldawood
Abdulaziz S
AS
Department of Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. aldawooda@hotmail.com
Jaeschke
Roman
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents