Comparison of short- and mid-term outcomes of antiplatelet versus anticoagulant use in peripheral artery disease patients with synthetic grafts

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the short- and mid-term outcomes of graft patency in patients receiving anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy during the postoperative period. Patients and methods: A total of 109 patients (103 males, 6 females; mean age 69.5±7.9 years; range 44 to 80 years) were included in this retrospectively study between January 2015 and January 2022. Of these, 46 patients were receiving anticoagulant therapy, while 63 were on antiplatelet therapy. The graft patency rates were evaluated during outpatient follow-ups at one-, three-, six-, and 12 months through physical examinations and imaging methods (Doppler ultrasonography or computed tomographic angiography). Results: The efficacy of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy was similar after femoropopliteal bypass using a synthetic graft. Conclusion: We believe that treatment plans should be individualized for each patient in the postoperative period.