Is clopidogrel plus aspirin an effective treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a significant impact on the risk of stroke. In particular, the presence of AF is associated with a higher stroke risk that increases with age.1 Due to the increased risk, the prevention of stroke in patients with AF remains an important component of patient care. It is well known that antithrombotic therapy, such as oral anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents, reduces the risk of stroke by preventing thromboembolism. Adjusted-dose warfarin therapy reduces the risk of stroke by 64%; while aspirin is associated with a 22% risk reduction.2 In 2006, the results from the Atrial fibrillation Clopidogrel Trial with Irbesartan for prevention of Vascular Events (ACTIVE W) study showed that oral anticoagulation was more effective than clopidogrel plus aspirin in the prevention of vascular events in patients with AF at a high-risk for stroke.3 Currently, guidelines recommend the use of oral anticoagulation (warfarin) for the prevention of stroke in high-risk patients
