[Antiplatelet agents in secondary prevention of stroke]

Revue Medicale Suisse
|December 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Dual antiplatelet therapy is effective for early stroke prevention but increases bleeding risk long-term. Current evidence supports its use in the short term, not for extended periods.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Stroke significantly contributes to global morbidity and mortality.
  • Antiplatelet agents are crucial for secondary stroke prevention.
  • Current guidelines recommend aspirin, clopidogrel, or aspirin- plus-dipyridamole.

Purpose:

  • To review the evidence on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for stroke prevention.
  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of DAPT in different stroke phases.
  • To discuss future research directions in antiplatelet strategies.

Summary:

  • Early-phase stroke studies (24 hours to 3 months) demonstrate DAPT's superiority over single antiplatelet therapy (e.g., aspirin).
  • Long-term DAPT is associated with an elevated risk of intracranial hemorrhage, outweighing its benefits.
  • The optimal duration and patient selection for DAPT remain areas of ongoing investigation.

Impact:

  • Provides a concise overview of DAPT's role in secondary stroke prevention.
  • Highlights the critical distinction between short-term efficacy and long-term risks of DAPT.
  • Informs clinical decision-making regarding antiplatelet strategies for stroke survivors.

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