Comparison of short and mid-term outcomes of antiplatelet / anticoagulant use in patients with peripheral arterial disease treated with synthetic grafts.

The use of synthetic grafts in femoropopliteal bypass operations for peripheral arterial disease, which is commonly observed and increasing in incidence, is on the rise. The treatment modalities to be used in the postoperative period for bypass patients vary. In this study, we compared the short and mid-term results of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy on graft patency in patients undergoing femoropopliteal bypass operations, and assessed their advantages and disadvantages. A retrospective study was conducted, including 109 patients. Of these patients, 46 were on anticoagulant therapy, while 63 were on antiplatelet therapy. Physical examinations and imaging methods (Doppler ultrasonography and/or computed tomographic angiography) were used to evaluate graft patency at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month outpatient follow-ups. There was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between the two groups. Graft patency at 1st, 3rd, 6th, and 12th month follow-ups did not differ significantly between the two groups. The results of our study indicate that the effectiveness of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy after femoropopliteal bypass using synthetic grafts is similar. We believe that individualized treatment plans should be made for each patient when arranging treatment in the postoperative period.