Ticagrelor versus Aspirin in Acute Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Neurology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Ticagrelor is an antiplatelet medication.
• Aspirin is a common antiplatelet therapy.
• Recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events are significant concerns in acute cerebral ischemia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of ticagrelor versus aspirin in preventing recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events.
• To evaluate the safety profiles of ticagrelor and aspirin in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• An international, double-blind, controlled trial involving 13,199 patients.
• Patients with nonsevere ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack were randomized.
• Treatment groups received either ticagrelor or aspirin for 90 days.

Main Results:

• The primary endpoint (stroke, myocardial infarction, or death) occurred in 6.7% of patients on ticagrelor versus 7.5% on aspirin (HR, 0.89; P=0.07).
• Ischemic stroke rates were 5.8% for ticagrelor and 6.7% for aspirin (HR, 0.87).
• Major bleeding rates were similar between groups (0.5% for ticagrelor, 0.6% for aspirin).

Conclusions:

• Ticagrelor was not superior to aspirin in reducing the rate of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death at 90 days.
• The study suggests similar efficacy and safety between ticagrelor and aspirin for this indication.