Aspirin plus dipyridamole in the peripheral vascular disease

The effects of administration of aspirin plus dipyridamole (ASA + DIP) compared with those of aspirin alone (ASA) were studied in a population of patients with peripheral vascular disease of the lower limbs, using non-invasive instrumental tests and clinical parameters. Fifty-four patients aged 40-74 years, all male, were randomly allocated to two groups, to be followed for two years; the first group received dipyridamole 225 mg plug ASA 600 mg/day p.o., and the second ASA 600 mg/day p.o., in three divided doses. During the treatment the free interval at treadmill, ankle/arm arterial pressure index (API), and plethysmography were evaluated. It was possible to analyze only the results of the first six months of treatment because of the large number of drop-outs due to side effects of ASA. API and the oscillographic index did not alter significantly in the two groups, whereas the authors observed a significant increase of the free interval at treadmill and improved results at plethysmography in the ASA + DIP-treated group compared with the ASA-treated group.