Source: DGNews  |  Posted 4 years ago

By Rachel Tilley

GLASGOW, UK -- May 31, 2007 -- Cilostazol reduces the incidence of cerebrovascular events with no increase in cardiovascular or bleeding risks in patients with cerebrovascular disease, peripheral artery disease and coronary stenting, researchers reported here at the 16[^]th[] European Stroke Conference (ESC).

Cilostazol is an antiplatelet drug, which inhibits phosphodiesterase III and has been shown to be safe and effective by randomised controlled trials. However, the data are limited, according to Shinichiro Uchiyama, MD PhD, staff neurologist, Neurological Institute, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo.

Dr. Uchiyama said that many trials compare small patient populations and they also have a short follow-up period.

To determine the effects of cilostazol with a large number of patients, Dr. Uchiyama and colleagues performed the first meta-analysis of cilostazol in patients with atherothrombosis, he reported in his presentation on May 30[^]th[].

The researchers identified 13 placebo-controlled, randomised trials that investigated cilostazol, with a total of 6,165 patients. Ten of the trials had patients with peripheral artery disease, 2 with cerebrovascular disease, and 1 trial of patients with coronary stenting.

The researchers found that cilostazol treatment reduced the total incidence of vascular events by 16% compared with placebo ([]P []=.013).

They also found that the incidence of cerebrovascular events was reduced by 40% in the cilostazol group compared with the placebo group ([]P []=.0005).

However, the meta-analysis did not show any difference in the incidence of cardiovascular events between patients receiving cilostazol and those receiving placebo ([]P []=.56). In addition, patients treated with cilostazol did not have an increased incidence of serious bleeding complications compared with placebo (1.4% vs 1.5%).

Dr. Uchiyama concluded, "This meta-analysis shows that cilostazol reduces the risk of cerebrovascular events by 40% without an associated increase in pulmonary or myocardial events."

Cilostazol may potentially be used in the prevention of stroke without serious bleeding risk in patients with atherothrombosis, he added.

[[]Presentation title: Stroke Prevention by Cilostazol in Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease, Peripheral Artery Disease, and Coronary Stenting: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical Trials. Abstract 01[]]