Aspirin Tops Three Rx Drugs In Preventing Heart Attack – Consumers Union
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Aspirin is the blood thinning agent of choice over three prescription antiplatelet medications for preventing first or repeat heart attack or stroke, according to a Consumers Union report
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Study reports benefits of aspirin plus Plavix
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)
Aspirin and cognitive function
Low-dose aspirin use does not protect older women from cognitive decline, according to a randomized, double-blind study published on the British Medical Journal's Web site April 27. Conducted by Jae Hee Kang, et al., Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, the nearly 10-year study evaluated 6,377 women aged 65 and older who were taking part in the Women's Health study. Subjects were divided into two treatment groups: low-dose aspirin and placebo. Cognitive performance measured at 5.6 years and 9.6 years of treatment were similar among the groups. Although results suggest category fluency was better in the aspirin group, authors stress the finding should be interpreted "with caution," concluding "other methods for preserving cognitive function in older people need to be investigated." A study in the April 18 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute and a recent Consumers Union report finds aspirin use was associated with decreased risks of certain cancers and heart attack, respectively (1"The Tan Sheet" April 23, 2007, p. 8 and 2"The Tan Sheet" April 23, 2007, p. 10)...
Aspirin Use For CVD Prevention Low Among At-Risk Patients – Study
A survey on aspirin use for cardiovascular disease prevention shows low usage "even among patients at increased risk" and could encourage FDA to act on a Bayer's 2003 citizen petition to include a primary prevention indication in professional labeling for aspirin, a researcher says