A new type of anti-clotting agent can reduce deaths from heart attacks by 20 per cent, according to research published today.
The study, partly carried out in the Republic, shows that a combination of clopidogrel and aspirin can reduce the incidence of death, heart attack and stroke by one-fifth.
12,562 patients from 28 countries participated in the CURE study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel, the first of a new class of drug with blood thinning properties.
The CURE study findings, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed both immediate and long-term benefits of clopidogrel therapy. When used in addition to aspirin, the new drug demonstrated increasing benefit.
Dr Brendan Meany, consultant cardiologist at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Limerick - whose patients participated in the research - estimates that "several thousands" of patients in the State will benefit from the breakthrough.
"It is the first major anti-platelet drug to come on the market and will be routinely considered in the treatment of patients with acute coronary syndrome," he said.
Acute coronary syndrome is the process which leads to heart attacks. Patients with unstable angina, who experience frequent and severe attacks of chest pain despite medical treatment, will also benefit.
Dr Salim Yusuf, Professor of Medicine at McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (the principal investigator of the CURE trial) said: "These findings suggest that clopidogrel therapy should be started immediately and continued long term in a broad group of high-risk patients irrespective of other treatments they may receive."