"Aspirin is one of the most widely taken medicines in the world, having been recommended for decades as a way of protecting against heart attacks and strokes in at-risk patients. However, a new study has revealed that clopidogrel, another commonly used blood thinner, or anticoagulant, is more effective in preventing serious heart attacks and strokes and carries no additional risk."
"Their work is a meta-analysis-a study that collects and analyzes the results of multiple smaller studies, with the aim of reaching a more reliable conclusion by looking at a larger amount of data. In total, this meta-analysis looked at clinical data from nearly 29,000 patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD), a condition where fat builds up in the arteries, which can lead to secondary effects such as heart attacks and heart failure."
"The analysis focused on seven investigations that included clinical information from persons with confirmed cases of CAD treated with aspirin or clopidogrel for an average of 2.3 years. After a follow-up of 5.5 years, the researchers observed that those who received clopidogrel had a 14 percent lower risk of a major cardiovascular event compared with those treated with aspirin. Ultimately, the team concluded that these findings "add to the evidence" that clopidogrel is superior to aspirin for preventing major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events."
An international meta-analysis pooled randomized trials comparing aspirin and clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease, using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase up to April 12, 2025. Clinical data from nearly 29,000 patients were analyzed across seven investigations. Patients received aspirin or clopidogrel for an average of 2.3 years, with 5.5 years of follow-up. Clopidogrel use was associated with a 14 percent lower risk of a major cardiovascular event compared with aspirin and carried no additional risk. The findings support preferential use of clopidogrel over aspirin in patients with established CAD.
Read at WIRED
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