Clopidogrel Versus Aspirin — Which is Better?

Clopidogrel monotherapy was found to have lower patient risk (adverse clinical events) when compared to aspirin monotherapy over the long term, as per a study presented as late-breaking clinical research at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2022 Scientific Sessions. Of 7,392 high-risk patients that were event-free after the first year and adherent to DAPT, 5,664 patients received antiplatelet monotherapy (clopidogrel monotherapy given to 1,974 and aspirin monotherapy to 3,690 patients) were included in the present analysis.

Efficacy of Clopidogrel

Monotherapy of clopidogrel — belonging to the group of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitor reduces bleeding risk without increasing the risk of ischemic events compared with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), especially in the first 12 months following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI — a cardiac procedure to widen the blocked blood vessels).

“These findings show for the first time clopidogrel monotherapy is associated with reduced risk of long-term NACE (net adverse clinical events) and (major adverse cardiac or cerebral events) MACCE. Our results may have important practical implications for determining the optimal treatment for patients requiring a single antiplatelet drug, either aspirin or clopidogrel, for secondary prevention of ischemic events in high-risk PCI population,” says Hao-Yu Wang from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

The team recommends further randomized clinical trials to support their findings.

Source-Medindia