Clopidogrel and acute coronary syndrome.

Clopidogrel (Plavix-Sanofi-Synthelabo & Bristol-Myers Squibb) blocks platelet aggregation through an action distinct from that of aspirin. In the UK, it is licensed for the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic events and for this, we concluded 3 years ago that clopidogrel "appears to offer no worthwhile advantage over aspirin". After publication of the CURE (Clopidogrel in Unstable angina to prevent Recurrent Events) trial, which assessed adjunctive use of clopidogrel with aspirin in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation (unstable angina or non-Q wave infarction), clopidogrel was hailed in the lay media as "the biggest breakthrough in 20 years". Do the CURE study results warrant the use of clopidogrel in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation (currently an unlicensed indication)?