Pohang

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most prevalent and lethal disease worldwide. Even though various studies have been performed regarding the prevention or treatment of CAD and its related cardiovascular events, the prevalence of CAD and the incidence of cardiovascular events are increasing. Antiplatelet agents are among the most widely used drugs for preventing cardiovascular events. The efficacy of antiplatelet agents has been extensively proven in secondary prevention for cardiovascular events in CAD patients, and their use has been recommended in current guidelines. However, there is still controversy surrounding the prescription of antiplatelet agents for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events in CAD patients due to their unknown clear efficacy and risk of bleeding complications. Recent studies reported the limited efficacy of aspirin in old patients, diabetes patients, or patients with cardiovascular events risks. However, the efficacy or safety of antiplatelet therapy in patients with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis has not been thoroughly investigated. These patients are at higher risk of cardiac death or myocardial infarction compared to patients without coronary atherosclerosis. In this regard, the investigators will evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel for primary prevention in patients diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis on imaging that did not require revascularization therapy.