TITLE:
Clopidogrel in ischemic heart disease: A critical appraisal
AUTHORS:
Mohammed A. Al-Otaiby, Abdulrahman M. Al-Moghairi
KEYWORDS:
Clopidogrel; Ischemic Heart Disease; Thienopyridine; Platelets Inhibition
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.5 No.3,
March
29,
2013
ABSTRACT: Aspirin and clopidogrel are the commonest dual
antiplatelet agents being used in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In high risk patients with
coronary heart disease, the use of aspirin was associated with a significant
risk reduction of myocardial infarction, stroke and vascular death. The use
of clopidogrel alone was slightly superior to aspirin, and associated with reduced
risk of vascular death, ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction. Dual antiplatelet
therapy has been well studied in patients with acute coronary syndrome and
those undergoing percutaneous coronary
intervention (PCI). In patients with stable coronary heart disease or multiple
risk factors the combination of clopidogrel plus aspirin was not
significantly more effective than aspirin alone in reducing MI, stroke or
death from cardiovascular causes.