Peripheral arterial disease: antiplatelets
Indicator
The percentage of patients with peripheral arterial disease with a record in the preceding 15 months that aspirin or an alternative antiplatelet is being taken.
Indicator type
General practice indicator suitable for use in the Quality and Outcomes Framework.
This document does not represent formal NICE guidance. For a full list of NICE indicators, see our menu of indicators.
To find out how to use indicators and how we develop them, see our NICE indicator process guide.
Rationale
The focus of the management of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is on the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is important to reduce the cardiovascular complications of atherosclerosis through appropriate cardiovascular risk factor management. By decreasing the risk of thrombosis formation, antiplatelet therapy (aspirin or clopidodrel) may reduce the occurrence of acute cardiovascular events. This indicator addresses the issue of prescribing anti-platelet therapy.
Source guidance
Peripheral arterial disease: diagnosis and management. NICE guideline CG147 (2012), recommendation 1.2.1
Clopidogrel and modified-release dipyridamole for the prevention of occlusive vascular events. NICE technology appraisal guideline TA210 (2010), recommendation 1.1
Specification
Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator with a record in the preceding 15 months that aspirin or an alternative antiplatelet is being taken.
Denominator: The number of patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.
Exclusions: The number of patients already prescribed an anti-coagulant.
Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance at individual general practice level.
ISBN: 978-1-4731-6053-8