During peripheral intervention, which anticoagulation is typically used, and which class is not employed?

During peripheral intervention, which anticoagulation is typically used, and which class is not employed?

• A. Heparin or Angiomax; antiplatelets/IIb/IIIa inhibitors are not used
• B. Aspirin only; heparin not used
• C. Clopidogrel only; no anticoagulation
• D. Enoxaparin and GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors

Answer: (A)

During peripheral intervention, the goal is to prevent clotting on catheters and devices with intraprocedural anticoagulation. Unfractionated heparin is the typical agent, and an alternative direct thrombin inhibitor like bivalirudin (Angiomax) is used in some cases. Potent antiplatelet therapies that target GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are not routinely employed in peripheral procedures because they increase bleeding risk and the thrombus burden is usually less than in coronary interventions. Therefore, using heparin or Angiomax for anticoagulation, with limited or no routine use of antiplatelet/GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, best fits standard practice.

During peripheral intervention, the goal is to prevent clotting on catheters and devices with intraprocedural anticoagulation. Unfractionated heparin is the typical agent, and an alternative direct thrombin inhibitor like bivalirudin (Angiomax) is used in some cases. Potent antiplatelet therapies that target GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors are not routinely employed in peripheral procedures because they increase bleeding risk and the thrombus burden is usually less than in coronary interventions. Therefore, using heparin or Angiomax for anticoagulation, with limited or no routine use of antiplatelet/GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors, best fits standard practice.