Clopidogrel and Aspirin Together: The Effect on C-Reactive Protein Trial
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Inflammation is associated with worsening outcomes among individuals with CAD; C-reactive
protein is a well-known marker of inflammation. Both healthy patients and those with a
history of CAD who exhibit elevated CRP are at greater risk for cardiovascular events.
Despite CRP's well- documented association with increased risk in the development and
progression of CAD, the specific mechanism of elevated CRP in CAD is not known. One possible
etiology includes a continuous prothrombotic process associated with CAD. Several studies
demonstrate a link between platelet activation and inflammation. If thrombotic processes are
involved in the mechanism of elevated CRP, antiplatelet therapy, including clopidogrel, could
effectively reduce CRP. Preliminary studies have demonstrated a reduction of CRP with aspirin
and a clear association between clopidogrel therapy and reduced CRP, however no randomized
trials have been performed. We hypothesize that the proinflammatory effects of platelet
activation may be inhibited with combined clopidogrel and aspirin therapy.