BACKGROUND The is no clear consensus on whether Aspirin offers better outcomes in terms of secondary cardiovascular disease prevention compared to Clopidogrel. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to… Click to show full abstract
BACKGROUND The is no clear consensus on whether Aspirin offers better outcomes in terms of secondary cardiovascular disease prevention compared to Clopidogrel. OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to compare the safety and efficacy of Clopidogrel versus Aspirin in patients with established cardiovascular disease. PATIENTS/METHODS A systematic review of MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases (last search date: August 28th, 2021) was performed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) statement for randomized control trials (RCTs) of Clopidogrel versus Aspirin as monotherapy in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. RESULTS Five RCTs incorporating 26,855 patients (Clopidogrel: 13,426; Aspirin: 13,429) were included. No statistically significant difference was observed between Clopidogrel and Aspirin in terms of all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR]: 1.01 [95% Confidence Interval (95%CI):0.91-1.13]; p=0.83), ischemic stroke (OR: 0.87 [95%CI:0.71-1.06]; p=0.16) and major bleeding rates (OR: 0.77 [95%CI:0.56-1.06]; p=0.11). Patients receiving Clopidogrel had borderline lower risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (OR: 0.84 [95%CI:0.71-1.00]; p=0.05) and lower risk for non-fatal myocardial infarction (OR: 0.83 [95%CI:0.71-0.97]; p=0.02, relative-risk-reduction=16.9%, absolute-risk-reduction=0.5%, number-needed-to-treat=217 for a mean period of 20 months) compared to patients receiving Aspirin. CONCLUSIONS In patients with established cardiovascular disease, Clopidogrel was associated with a 17% relative-risk reduction for non-fatal MI, borderline decreased risk for MACE and similar risk for all-cause mortality, stroke and major bleeding compared to Aspirin.
               
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