ABSTRACT
Antiplatelet therapy's role in reducing cardiovascular risk has been long established, first by the Antiplatelet Trialists’ Collaboration meta-analysis study in 1994 and expounded upon by the Antithrombotic Trialists’ Collaboration group's 2002 systemic review—both showing an approximately 20% odds reduction in vascular events in patients on antiplatelet therapy compared to controls.1,2 However, prior to clopidogrel, no safe alternative to aspirin had been approved for the prevention of cardiovascular morbidity. Previously, ticlopidine, an alternate thienopyridine derivative to clopidogrel, had shown a significant decrease in the risk of adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo but with an unfavorable side effect profile.
