The antiplatelet drug cilostazol appears to improve long-term patency after carotid artery stenting (CAS), according to a small Japanese study published online November 2, 2009, ahead of print in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. The paper’s findings echo results of earlier trials showing that the drug, which is widely used in Japan, has antirestenotic effects in patients with peripheral and coronary artery disease.

Tomoji Takigawa, MD, of the University of Tsukuba (Tsukuba, Japan), and colleagues looked at 97 patients who underwent CAS from April 2002 to December 2007. Before the procedure, all patients received aspirin (100 mg daily) as well as ....

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