American heart journal
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American heart journal · Aug 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialAntecedent hypertension and the effect of captopril on the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes after acute myocardial infarction with left ventricular systolic dysfunction: Insights from the Survival and Ventricular Enlargement Trial.
Hypertension is a well-established risk factor for myocardial infarction (MI), but its prognostic importance in survivors of an acute MI is less clear. ⋯ In survivors of an acute MI with LV systolic dysfunction, antecedent hypertension was associated with a greater risk of subsequent adverse cardiovascular events, not directly explained by elevated blood pressure levels. Captopril use was beneficial in both patients with and patients without hypertension.
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American heart journal · Aug 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialClopidogrel added to aspirin versus aspirin alone in secondary prevention and high-risk primary prevention: rationale and design of the Clopidogrel for High Atherothrombotic Risk and Ischemic Stabilization, Management, and Avoidance (CHARISMA) trial.
Clopidogrel is a more potent antiplatelet agent than aspirin, resulting in greater clinical efficacy in patients with atherothrombotic disease. Furthermore, the combination of clopidogrel plus aspirin has been demonstrated to be superior to aspirin alone in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndromes and after coronary stenting. Whether dual antiplatelet therapy is superior to aspirin monotherapy for high-risk primary prevention and secondary prevention is unknown. ⋯ This large-scale trial of patients at high risk for atherothrombotic events will allow determination of the value of a strategy of adding clopidogrel to the current standard of care, including low-dose aspirin, for a wide spectrum of patients with atherothrombosis.