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Doctors have identified a drug that is more effective than aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes. The medical team discovered that clopidogrel is superior and does not carry additional risk.
While aspirin is commonly used to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke by reducing blood stickiness, a recent study has shown that clopidogrel is “superior” and should be implemented globally in clinical practice. This study, published in the Lancet medical journal, was unveiled at the European Society of Cardiology congress in Madrid.
According to The Guardian, doctors from countries such as the UK, US, Australia, Switzerland, and Japan examined approximately 29,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Their findings indicated that clopidogrel outperformed aspirin in preventing heart attacks and strokes.
CAD affects around 2.3 million people in the UK and occurs when heart arteries narrow due to fatty material buildup within their walls. This narrowing is known as angina, and a complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.
Although aspirin has been the standard for CAD patients, a new review of seven clinical trials showed that those on clopidogrel had a 14% lower risk of severe heart attacks or strokes. This reduction comes without an increased risk of major bleeding.
The study authors stated in The Lancet: “This comprehensive synthesis of available evidence indicates that, in patients with CAD, long-term clopidogrel monotherapy offers superior protection against major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events compared with aspirin, without an excess risk of bleeding.”
“The superior efficacy of clopidogrel v aspirin was consistent across multiple key subgroups, including individuals with clinical features predictive of poor clopidogrel responsiveness, supporting the generalisability of these findings to the broad spectrum of patients with CAD.
“These results support a preference for clopidogrel over aspirin for chronic antiplatelet monotherapy for patients with stable CAD. The widespread availability, generic formulation and affordability of clopidogrel further supports its potential for extensive adoption in clinical practice.”
The findings could transform health guidelines worldwide to improve patuent outcomes. The results suggest that clopidogrel should be the preferred long-term medication for patients with CAD.
Prof Bryan Williams, the chief scientific and medical officer at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Aspirin is a commonly prescribed drug to help prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes. This research suggests that clopidogrel, an alternative to aspirin, might be more effective at preventing recurrent heart attack or stroke.
“Importantly, these benefits come without a greater risk of major bleeding. These findings are likely to impact the medications doctors prescribe to their patients to reduce their risk of future heart problems.”
