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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Update on antiplatelet agents, including MATCH, CHARISMA, and ESPRIT
Maryna Skliut1, Dara G Jamieson
1New York - Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, 525 East 68th Street, Suite F-610, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Insights
For secondary stroke prevention, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole offers benefits over monotherapy. However, aspirin plus clopidogrel does not show added benefit and increases bleeding risks.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) relies on risk factor modification.
- Atherothrombotic disease, involving platelet activation and aggregation, underlies most noncardioembolic ischemic strokes.
- Antiplatelet medications are crucial for secondary stroke prevention in arterial disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent studies on antiplatelet medications for secondary stroke prevention.
- To discuss the efficacy and controversies surrounding combination antiplatelet therapy.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent clinical studies and trials on antiplatelet agents.
- Analysis of combination therapies including aspirin with extended-release dipyridamole or clopidogrel.
Main Results:
- Aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole demonstrated additive benefits compared to monotherapy.
- Aspirin plus clopidogrel did not show superior efficacy in preventing recurrent ischemic stroke over individual agents.
- Combination therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel increased the risk of hemorrhagic side effects.
Conclusions:
- Combination antiplatelet therapy requires careful consideration of risks and benefits.
- Aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole is a viable option for secondary stroke prevention.
- Further research is needed to clarify optimal antiplatelet strategies and address existing controversies.
Abstract:
Despite recent advances in the acute treatment of stroke, prevention and risk factor modification remain the mainstays of management for patients with ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. The majority of noncardioembolic ischemic strokes are atherothrombotic, presumed to be associated with the activation and aggregation of platelets. Antiplatelet medications have been shown to be effective in the secondary prevention of stroke of presumed arterial origin, both as monotherapy and in combination. Among combination of antiplatelet agents, aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole has demonstrated statistically significant additive benefit over monotherapy with each agent. Clopidogrel plus aspirin does not prevent recurrent ischemic stroke over each component individually, and the combination increases the risk of hemorrhagic side effects. This article reviews the most recent studies on antiplatelet medications, including the combination of aspirin and clopidogrel or extended-release dipyridamole, and discusses some of the controversies that still exist with the use of antiplatelet agents.
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