Study reports benefits of aspirin plus Plavix
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
A study shows patients with atrial fibrillation reduced their risk of major vascular events by 11 percent by taking Plavix (clopidogrel) plus aspirin compared to aspirin alone. The results "suggest a potential change in clinical practice," says a study investigator. Findings announced March 31 from the ACTIVE A (Atrial Fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for Prevention of Cardiovascular Events) phase III double-blind, placebo-controlled trial also said the heart arrhythmia patients taking the antiplatelet drug and aspirin saw a 28 percent reduction in stroke during the median 3.6 years of follow-up. Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Aventis, which jointly market Plavix, sponsored the study. Atrial fibrillation patients have a five-fold greater stroke risk and cannot take oral anticoagulants, a researcher said. A 2007 analysis found aspirin alone is more effective than Plavix and other Rx antiplatelets in preventing first or repeat heart attack or stroke (1"The Tan Sheet" April 23, 2007, p. 10)