In a nutshell
This paper reviewed the effectiveness of anti-thrombotic drugs in patients who had a heart attack.
Some background
Antithrombotic drugs are drugs that prevent blood from clotting (clumping together). They are given together with aspirin (acetylsalycylic acid) to improve blood flow and as treatment after a heart attack. Aspirin works to prevent blood from clotting. Clopidogrel (Plavix), an antithrombotic drug, can reduce the risk of death from heart attack when it is used in combination with aspirin. However, it is not known how effective other antithrombotics are compared to clopidogrel in reducing death from heart attack. Other antithrombotic drugs include ticagrelor (Brilinta), bivalirudin (Angiomax), heparin and prasugrel (Effient).
Methods & findings
Altogether, 11 studies of 26,658 patients who had a heart attack were analyzed. These patients received an antithrombotic drug together with aspirin.
The death rate from heart attack was compared amongst the different types of antithrombotic drugs. 2.76% of patients who received clopidogrel died within 30 days of the heart attack. This was similar to patients who received ticagrelor (2.6%) and bivalirudin (2.8%). Patients who received heparin were 8% more at risk of death compared to patients who received clopidogrel. 1.75% of patients who received prasugrel died within 30 days of a heart attack. These patients had a 37% lesser risk of death compared to patients who received clopidogrel.
The bottom line
The authors concluded that prasugrel, but not ticagrelor, was beneficial for patients who had a heart attack compared to clopidogrel.
The fine print
This was a review of many studies, there could be differences in patients among the studies.
What’s next?
Talk to your doctor about receiving prasugrel together with aspirin as treatment after a heart attack.
Published By :
International Journal of Cardiology
Date :
May 20, 2015
