Related Experiment Videos
Aspirin in coronary heart disease. The Coronary Drug Project Research Group
Insights
This study investigated aspirin
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular medicine
- Clinical pharmacology
Background:
- The Coronary Drug Project Aspirin Study (CDPA) focused on men with a history of myocardial infarction.
- Participants were previously enrolled in dextrothyroxine or estrogen therapy trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of aspirin in reducing mortality in men post-myocardial infarction.
- To assess the safety and adherence of long-term aspirin therapy in this patient group.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 1529 male patients.
- Random assignment to receive either aspirin (324 mg three times daily) or a placebo.
- Follow-up duration ranged from 10 to 28 months (average 22 months).
Main Results:
- Overall mortality was lower in the aspirin group (5.8%) compared to the placebo group (8.3%).
- An observed 30% reduction in mortality with aspirin therapy was noted.
- High adherence to study protocol and no significant differences in nonstudy medication use were observed between groups.
Conclusions:
- Aspirin therapy showed a potential beneficial effect in reducing mortality for men following myocardial infarction.
- The observed difference in mortality was not statistically conclusive.
- Further research may be warranted to confirm aspirin's role in post-myocardial infarction management.
Abstract:
The Coronary Drug Project Aspirin Study (CDPA), started in late 1972 and terminated in early 1974, involved men selected from three groups originally receiving dextrothyroxine or estrogen therapy in the Coronary Drug Project. All patients had a history of myocardial infarction, most of them several years earlier. Length of follow-up ranged from 10-28 months (average 22 months). A total of 1529 patients were recruited and were randomly assigned on a double-blind basis to aspirin therapy -- one 324-mg tablet three times daily or a corresponding placebo treatment. Data indicate a high level of adherence to the study protocol. No major differences were recorded in use of nonstudy medications in the two treatment groups. Overall mortality was 5.8% in the aspirin group and 8.3% in the placebo group (an observed difference of 30%). This difference, suggestive of a beneficial effect for aspirin in the treatment of post-myocardial infarction men, was not large enough to be conclusive.