[Secondary prevention of ischemic infarct]

Secondary prevention of transient or permanent cerebral ischemia is performed with antiplatelet drugs, e.g. aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel or dipyridamole. The four substances have different indications and different side effect profiles. Patients with proven or suspected cardiac source of embolism are treated with anticoagulants. Patients with > 70% stenosis of the internal carotid artery and TIA or minor stroke receive carotid endarterectomy in combination with aspirin. Stroke risk is reduced between 20 and 65% by these measures.