MATCH Trial Results May Simplify Hundreds of Thousands of Patient Lives

    ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of thousands of
 patients currently take clopidigrel (Plavix(R)) plus aspirin to reduce their
 recurrent stroke risk.  Today at the 5th International Stroke Society World
 Congress in Vancouver, B.C., researchers reported that the addition of aspirin
 to clopidigrel does not significantly reduce the risk of recurrent stroke
 after a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) also known as a mini stroke.
 For many patients this means one less drug to take in their daily regimen.
     The Management of Atherothrombosis with Clopidogrel in High-Risk Patients
 with Recent Transient Ischemic Attacks or Ischemic Stroke (MATCH) trial was
 conducted with 7,599 patients in 28 countries and is the largest study to date
 with such a high-risk population.
     The study also showed that the addition of aspirin to clopidigrel
 significantly increased the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
     "Stroke survivors run a 5 percent to 15 percent risk of a recurrent stroke
 in the first year.  Many times these strokes are more debilitating or deadly.
 Any research that clarifies the best way to reduce recurrent stroke risk is
 very important for stroke survivors to understand, said James Baranski, CEO of
 National Stroke Association.
     Dr. Lawrence Brass, Neurologist at Yale University says, "This study also
 reminds doctors that we need to consider all prevention methods to reduce
 recurrent stroke risk, and not just prescribe anti-platelet therapy."
     While MATCH looked at clopidigrel plus aspirin, other studies of
 antiplatelet combination therapy have shown increased stroke risk reduction.
 The European Stroke Prevention Study2 showed that the combination of aspirin
 with dipyridamole (Aggrenox(R)) is more effective than aspirin alone.
     National Stroke Association wants patients to ask their doctors about the
 latest in stroke treatment and the best way to reduce their risk of recurrent
 stroke.
 
     Based in Englewood, Colo., National Stroke Association is a leading,
 independent national nonprofit organization devoting 100 percent of its
 efforts and resources to stroke.  For more information contact NSA at
 1-800-STROKES (767-6537) or visit www.stroke.org.  For interviews with Jim
 Baranski or Dr. Larry Brass on this release please call Diane
 Mulligan-Fairfield.
 
 

SOURCE  National Stroke Association