American College Of Cardiology Highlights

Plavix/aspirin combo benefit?: Adding clopidogrel (Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi-Aventis' Plavix) to a regimen of standard, low-dose aspirin did not significantly reduce the combined rate of death, heart attack or stroke in the 15,603-patient Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management, and Avoidance (CHARISMA) study. In the overall population, clopidogrel plus aspirin had no significant impact on outcomes after a median follow-up of 28 months. In the placebo plus aspirin group, the combined rate of cardiovascular death, heart attack or stroke was 7.3% compared to 6.8% in the clopidogrel plus aspirin group. However, when the analysis focused on the 12,153 patients with established cardiovascular disease, adding clopidogrel cut the combined rate to 6.9% from 7.9% - a statistically significant difference. Plavix is labeled for early and long-term risk reduction in patients at risk for atherothrombotic events...