Early clopidogrel prevents deaths

摘要

Early clopidogrel (Plavix) therapy could prevent 5,000 deaths if given to one million of the 10 million patients who have a heart attack each year,researchers argue in The Lancet last week (2005;266:1607).Presenting the published results of the COMMIT study (clopidogrel and metoprolol in myocardial infarction trial;PJ,19 March,p327),they add that,although the absolute benefits of adding a few weeks of clopidogrel to aspirin are modest,it has definite benefits and no significant hazards."Given the short treatment duration and fairly low cost,it could be used widely not only in developed countries but also in many populations with more limited resources," they say.