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Can drugs help patients with lower limb ischaemia?

The prevalence of symptomatic arterial disease of the lower limbs is 2 per cent of the population aged 45–60, but it has a relatively benign course, with 70 per cent of patients requiring no therapy. Of the numerous drugs used in the treatment of the disease, there is no evidence to suggest that antilipaemic drugs, anticoagulants, vasodilators or rheological agents confer any benefit to the patient. The initial use of antiplatelet drugs and prostaglandins has been disappointing despite the undoubted importance of the platelet/endothelial interaction in the aetiology of atherosclerosis. As it is unlikely that we can reverse advanced disease, this is hardly surprising. Long term use of these drugs may prevent deterioration in those patients with progressive disease, and controlled trials on this aspect of treatment are now required. Symptomatic relief in the claudicant may perhaps be obtained with naftidrofuryl and suloctodil and with the former in more severe ischaemia, but their use should not replace the beneficial effects of exercise and cessation of smoking.