Lack of evidence for pleiotropic effects of clopidogrel on endothelial function and inflammation in patients with stable coronary artery disease: results of the double-blind, randomized CASSANDRA study.

Background: Recently we have demonstrated a dose-dependent improvement of endothelial function after administration of a single loading dose of clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). We therefore hypothesized that chronic therapy with clopidogrel may improve endothelial function in patients with CAD.

Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, monocentric study 120 patients with established CAD were randomized to one of the following treatment arms: clopidogrel 75 mg q.