Antiplatelets, statins, and cilostazol in peripheral artery disease: Medical therapy is the responsibility of the interventionalist

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common condition encountered in primary care and subspecialty clinics. Despite guidelines recommending antiplatelet agents, statins, and in some cases cilostazol, many patients with PAD are not receiving appropriate medications. Interventionalists who evaluate and treat these patients have a unique opportunity to prescribe appropriate cardioprotective medications, and to educate the primary care provider. In this article we will review guidelines for prescribing antiplatelet agents (aspirin and clopidogrel), statins, and cilostazol in patients with PAD; review evidence behind the guidelines; and present a "report card" of healthcare provider compliance with these guidelines. We will also describe some of the barriers that reduce clinician compliance with guidelines and present some strategies to overcome these barriers.