Clopidogrel versus aspirin for coronary artery disease.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel versus aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. The study found that clopidogrel significantly reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events, including non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and vascular death, compared to aspirin. While clopidogrel was associated with a higher risk of minor bleeding, it did not significantly increase the risk of major or life-threatening bleeding. These findings suggest that clopidogrel may be a superior antiplatelet agent to aspirin for secondary prevention in patients with established coronary artery disease, offering improved cardiovascular outcomes despite a slight increase in minor bleeding.