Scientists compare two blood thinners for heart failure patients
Individuals who need pharmaceutical treatment for heart failure can save money by purchasing Canadian drugs, which may be more cost-efficient than products sold in the U.S.
Individuals who need pharmaceutical treatment for heart failure can save money by purchasing Canadian drugs, which may be more cost-efficient than products sold in the U.S. For heart failure patients, this may mean buying blood thinners. Researchers from Columbia University discovered that there are few differences in the effectiveness of aspirin and warfarin in this context.
In order to evaluate the best possible treatments for these patients, the scientists conducted a trial that included more than 2,300 individuals who had heart failure, normal cardiac rhythm and reduced function in the left ventricle. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either an aspirin or warfarin regimen.
Results showed that within three years, the rate of death, ischemic stroke or bleeding in the brain of warfarin patients was 7.47 percent. For aspirin patients, it was 7.93 percent, which is not statistically significant.
Warfarin did prove more effective beyond three years, but patients taking this drug were more likely to experience bleeding outside the brain. Overall, the rates of bleeding and strokes were low for both groups.
"Given that there is no overall difference between the two treatments and that possible benefit of warfarin does not start until after four years of treatment, there is no compelling reason to use warfarin, especially considering the bleeding risk," said researcher Shunichi Homma, MD.
The study was presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2012.
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