Antiplatelets in stroke prevention: the MATCH trial. Some answers, many questions and countless perspectives.
Antiplatelet drugs have an established efficacy in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. The recent results of the CAPRIE, CURE, and CREDO studies formed the rationale for the MATCH, designed to test whether the association of clopidogrel and aspirin was better than clopidogrel alone for the prevention of vascular events among high-risk ischemic cerebrovascular patients. Although the benefits were outweighed for a higher bleeding risk in the combination group, this study will provide important insight for upcoming trials in other to determine what populations might mostly benefit from these drugs for the secondary prevention of stroke in the future.
Bezerra
Daniel C
DC
Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Lausanne, Switzerland. danielcbezerra@hotmail.com
Bogousslavsky
Julien
J
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin