Blocked leg arteries – often caused by diabetes or smoking – are very common, but if left untreated can lead to amputation, or even death. To improve blood flow, a procedure called an angioplasty is usually carried out, with patients given blood-thinning drugs afterwards. A new trial led by North Bristol NHS Trust, in collaboration with the Centre for Trials Research at Cardiff University and the University of Bristol, will compare three commonly prescribed blood-thinning tablets to find out which works best.
Funded by £2.5 million from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), CLARITY PAD (CLopidogrel, Aspirin and RIvaroxaban after revascularisation with angioplasTY for limb threatening Peripherial Arterial Disease) will evaluate three different combinations of blood-thinning tablets — clopidogrel; aspirin and clopidogrel, and aspirin and rivaroxaban.