The use of cilostazol in intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Abstract

Intermittent claudication is the most frequent one symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Extending the distance free from pain is achieved by surgical treatment, endovascular and appropriate pharmaco­therapy. Phosphodiesterase III (PDE) are a group of drugs that have a very strong anti-aggregation effect. In addition, they have vasodilator activity, lipid-lowering and anti-proliferative what makes them the subject of numerous scientific publications. Cilostazol is the best studied PDE inhibitor. Though not devoid of side effects the drug has been shown to influence the extension of claudication distance. Compared to the placebo and pentoxifylline significantly affect the maximum claudication distance (MWD) and pain-free distance (PWD). In addition, effectively prevents restenosis after endovascular treatment of coronary and peripheral vessels. Cilostazol may also be an alternative in the case of the development of resistance to conventional anti-platelet agents. TASC II guidelines recommend the use of 3–6 months treatment with cilostazol in alleviating the symptoms of intermittent claudication. Treatment for monitoring and verification requires specialist.