A Chinese phase 3 trial, comparing the new treatment to that usually used, shows that people who had suffered a mild stroke had a lower risk of having a new stroke if they were treated with aspirin and Plavix.
Of the 5,170 people who participated in the study, half were treated for three months with a combination of aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel), an anticoagulant marketed by the American laboratory Bristol Meyers Squibb and the French Sanofi. The other half of the patients took only aspirin.
While the 3 months after stroke are the most likely to have a relapse, (10-20% have a second attack), only 8.2% of participants who took the combination of Plavix and d Aspirin had another stroke compared to 11.7% for those treated with only aspirin.
Currently, US studies are confirming the results of the Chinese trial. These results are encouraging in order to avoid the risk of recurrence as much as possible. Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the world. Fortunately, the majority of these strokes are minor and do not have a lasting impact on health.