Comparison of cilostazol with warfarin as antithrombotic therapy after femoro-popliteal bypass surgery using an ePTFE graft

Abstract

Background: Cilostazol (6-[4-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)butoxy]-3,4- dihydro-2(1H)-quinolinone) is a new antiplatelet agent with a vasodilating action. The purpose of this study was comparison of cilostazol with warfarin as antithrombotic therapy after femoro-popliteal bypass surgery using an expanded polytetrafluorethylene (ePTFE) graft.

Experimental design: This report is a retrospective study and the patients were followed up for five years.

Setting: Outpatients of university hospital.

Methods: Sixteen arteriosclerosis obliterans patients, who were diagnosed as having only superficial femoral artery stenosis or occlusion, underwent femoro-popliteal (above the knee) bypass using an ePTFE graft 6 mm in diameter. Cilostazol (150-200 mg/day) was administered to 6 cases (9 bypasses), and warfarin (prothrombin time was controlled to 15-25%.) was administered to 10 cases (14 bypasses).

Results: No clinically characteristic differences were found between the two groups. The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year primary and secondary graft patency rates were 69% and 80%, 69% and 80%, and, 69% and 80% in the cilostazol group, vs 61% and 91%, 51% and 91%, and, 51% and 91% in the warfarin group, respectively. These differences were not significant (p < 0.05). No hemorrhage complications were observed in the cilostazol group. The management of cilostazol administration was safe and simple.

Conclusions: Although the number of cases was small in this study, cilostazol was considered to be as effective as warfarin and suitable for the postoperative antithrombotic therapy after the ePTFE bypass surgery.