CardioExchange Archive

September 4th, 2012

Danish Survey Finds Clopidogrel Less Effective in Diabetics

Larry Husten, PHD

A large nationwide survey of MI survivors in Denmark provides new information about the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy with clopdiogrel in patients with diabetes. In a paper published in JAMA, Charlotte Andersson reports on 58,851 MI patients, 12% of whom had diabetes and 60% of whom received clopidogrel. As expected, diabetics had a worse outcome than nondiabetics: the composite […]

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August 27th, 2012

The Return of Vorapaxar, This Time for Post-MI Patients

Larry Husten, PHD

The once highly promising novel antiplatelet agent vorapaxar, widely thought to be dead on arrival after unacceptably high serious bleeding rates were found in two large clinical trials, has now returned to active duty. On Sunday the drug’s sponsor, Merck, announced that it would seek approval of the drug, with a narrower indication than originally planned, based on new […]

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March 24th, 2012

Novel Antiplatelet Agent Reduces CV Events But Increases Bleeding

Larry Husten, PHD

Vorapaxar, the novel antiplatelet agent from Merck, appears to effectively reduce cardiovascular death and ischemic events in patients with MI, ischemic stroke, or peripheral vascular disease, but its potential utility is clouded by bleeding complications, including intracranial hemorrhage. Results from the TRA 2P-TIMI 50 (Thrombin Receptor Antagonist in Secondary Prevention of Atherothrombotic Ischemic Events) trial were presented […]

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March 19th, 2012

Questions Raised About Antiplatelet Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease

Larry Husten, PHD

Many people develop chronic kidney disease (CKD) as they grow older, and many people with CKD take antiplatelet agents to prevent cardiovascular events. However, the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in CKD has not been examined, despite the fact that people with CKD are more likely to die from nonatherosclerotic conditions and are more likely to […]

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January 23rd, 2012

Selections from Richard Lehman’s Weekly Review: Week of January 23rd

Richard Lehman, BM, BCh, MRCGP

This week’s topics include bridging antiplatelet therapy in patients undergoing CABG, cognitive and neurologic outcomes after CABG, using IV beta-adrenergic agonists
during acute respiratory distress syndrome, and pulmonary embolism risk in those admitted to the hospital for an auto-immune disorder.

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July 28th, 2011

AstraZeneca Sets Premium Price for Ticagrelor

Larry Husten, PHD

AstraZeneca will be charging a premium price for its new antiplatelet drug ticagrelor (Brilinta). Wall Street analyst Timothy Anderson reports that the daily treatment cost for the drug will be $7.24 on a wholesaler acquisition cost (WAC) basis, which is approximately 20% higher than the daily cost of $6.08 for clopidogrel (Plavix) and about 25% […]

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December 6th, 2010

Ticagrelor Gets European Approval

Larry Husten, PHD

Ticagrelor has received approval for marketing in Europe, according to AstraZeneca. The drug, which will go under the brand name of Brilique in Europe, will not be available in most European countries until the second half of 2011, the company said. A decision about the approval of ticagrelor in the U.S., where it will be […]

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November 9th, 2010

Statement from AHA, ACC, and ACG Reaffirms Use of PPIs with Antiplatelet Therapy

Larry Husten, PHD

Despite recent warnings by the FDA, an expert consensus document released jointly by the AHA, the ACC, and the American College of Gastroenterology states that it is acceptable to use proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with thienopyridines like clopidogrel in patients at high risk for upper GI bleeds. The statement does not recommend routine use of […]

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October 6th, 2010

Study Finds No Evidence for Clopidogrel-Omeprazole Interaction

Sanjay Kaul, MD and Larry Husten, PHD

A large clinical trial has found no evidence that omeprazole interferes with the cardiovascular efficacy of clopidogrel. COGENT (Clopidogrel and the Optimization of Gastrointestinal Events Trial) randomized 3873 patients eligible for dual antiplatelet therapy to receive aspirin, clopidogrel, and either omeprazole or placebo. The COGENT investigators had planned to enroll 5000 patients, but the trial […]

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