Cerebrovascular diseases
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Cerebrovascular diseases · Jan 2002
ReviewFrom CURE to MATCH: ADP receptor antagonists as the treatment of choice for high-risk atherothrombotic patients.
Patients with a clinical manifestation of atherothrombosis such as a recent ischaemic cerebrovascular event are at high risk of subsequent events. Atherothrombosis often reflects disseminated disease; thus, further events may occur not only in the same arterial distribution but also in other vascular beds. To achieve adequate secondary prevention in these patients, long-term antiplatelet therapy with consistent benefit across the atherothrombosis spectrum is required. ⋯ Approximately 7,600 patients will be enroled, with treatment and follow-up for each patient lasting 18 months. The primary combined efficacy endpoint will be the first occurrence of an event in the composite of IS, MI, vascular death or rehospitalization for an acute ischaemic event during the follow-up period. MATCH will explore the potential benefit of clopidogrel in high-risk stroke/TIA patients and together with CAPRIE and CURE could provide further evidence of the long-term benefit of clopidogrel in patients with major atherothrombotic manifestations.