B. Lindblad et al., PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPHYLAXIS AGAINST POSTOPERATIVE GRAFT OCCLUSION AFTER PERIPHERAL VASCULAR-SURGERY - A WORLDWIDE SURVEY, European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery, 9(3), 1995, pp. 267-271
Objectives: To define current practice regarding the use of pharmacolo
gical prophylaxis to prevent postoperative graft occlusion. Design: Pr
ospective open questionnaire. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires re
garding this subject were sent to vascular surgeons throughout the wor
ld to analyse current practice. Results: 651 questionnaires were retur
ned with a response rate of 62% and form the basis for this report. Da
ta from 100334 vascular reconstructions were reported in this survey.
Prophylaxis against postoperative graft occlusions was common. Treatme
nt periods were usually greater than 1 year. Among carotid surgery pat
ients, 82% received prophylaxis, consisting mainly of low-dose acetysa
licylic acid (ASA). In Mid-Europe the use of oral anticoagulation was
more common than in other regions (p < 0.001). Among aneurysm surgery
patients, 38% received prophylaxis. For infrainguinal bypass, ASA in l
ow dose was the most commonly used agent worldwide. However, oral anti
coagulation was mole frequent in Mid-Europe, in contrast to South Amer
ica where the combination of ASA and dipyridamole was most common. Con
siderable geographical differences regarding patient selection, the fr
equency of specific procedures and operative techniques existed. Concl
usions: Important world-wide differences exist regarding prophylaxis f
or postoperative graft occlusion.