Protocol- Systematic review & network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials comparing antithrombotic drugs for cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with lower limb peripheral arterial disease.

This is the protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of antithrombotic agents for patients with peripheral vascular disease.  The research aims to understand the relative efficacy and safety of previously investigated antithrombotic medications in preventing major cardiovascular events, limb loss, mortality and bleeding events in patients with lower limb Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A secondary aim is to investigate whether different patient groups have superior outcomes from different antithrombotic regimens. All published and unpublished RCT trial designs are included in the review. All other study designs, including cross-over study designs and non-randomised studies, are excluded due to the high risk of bias.