14 DAY TRIAL // Researchers say that aspirin still remains the best drug in reducing the risk for heart disease, in comparison to the blood-thinning drug Plavix. Plavix has been shown previously to reduce the risk of myocardial infarctions, stroke, or cardiovascular-related deaths.
Co-author of the study, Deepak Bhatt, stated: "The overall findings of this study were negative, but a benefit was seen in patients with established cardiovascular disease... with a modest reduction of the risks. There is no reason to use the combination therapy for primary prevention, whereas it might be useful in patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke."
The study, which lasted 28 months, was conducted on 15 600 people with ages over 45 years. All patients received aspirin; some were randomly assigned to receive either Plavix at 75 mg per day or placebo. 6.9% of those receiving clopidogrel and aspirin had a stroke, heart attack or died, compared with 7.9% of those receiving only aspirin.
The results of the present study show that adding clopidogrel to aspirin has no significant effect. Furthermore, the substance increases the risk of bleeding. Plavix-aspirin also nearly doubled the risk for death from cardiovascular causes.
Charles Hennekens, professor at the University Of Miami School Of Medicine, asserted: "These findings are particularly welcome news worldwide, with cardiovascular disease rising from the fifth to the leading cause of death. Aspirin is both effective and affordable for the millions of people worldwide who could benefit. Wider utilization is needed in both developing and developed countries, like the US."