Is it possible to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in subjects suffering from intermittent claudication of the lower limbs?
This study meta-analysed randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trials in patients with intermittent claudication of the lower limbs comparing ticlopidine to placebo in order to test the hypothesis that the drug, a pure antiplatelet agent, is able to reduce the incidence of thrombotic cardio-vascular events on atherosclerotic arteries in these patients. A highly significant reduction, from 9% to 3% (p ranging from 0.006 to 0.002), was observed for fatal or non-fatal cardio-vascular events in a total of 611 patients (301 with ticlopidine, 310 with placebo). The duration of follow-up ranged from 6 to 12 months. Side-effects, defined as withdrawal from study medication for any reason but death, cardio-vascular events or cancer, were 2.4 times more frequent in the ticlopidine treated patients as compared to placebo. We concluded that in this high risk population, prevention of cardio-vascular events is likely to be effective.
Boissel
J P
JP
Unité de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital Neuro-Cardiologique, Lyon, France.
Peyrieux
J C
JC
Destors
J M
JM
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000150:complications*; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013988:Ticlopidine