Antiplatelet therapy is key to prevent thrombotic events after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke. The role of aspirin is well established in this scenario, but there is emerging evidence for a short period of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). Now, can this strategy avoid recurrent strokes without paying a price in terms of…
SPARCL: Highly Effective Prevention of New Events with Atorvastatin after a Stroke
In patients with recent stroke or transient ischemic attack, the total number of vascular events prevented by atorvastatin was twice as high as the number of prevented index events. In other words, the power of atorvastatin in secondary prevention is far superior to primary prevention. This gigantic reduction, both in index and recurrent events, gives…
When to Intervene a Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis?
Guidelines recommend that carotid endarterectomy be performed within two weeks of stroke in patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis. Because a Swedish registry study showed patients treated within the first days after a transient ischemic attack or stroke are at increased risk of death and perioperatory stroke, this study aims at verifying this risk in…
Ticagrelor: Similar to Aspirin in Patients with Stroke or TIA
Ticagrelor might be a more effective antiplatelet therapy than aspirin for the prevention of recurrent stroke and cardiovascular events in patients admitted for acute cerebral ischemia. This double-blind, controlled trial randomized 13,199 patients from 33 countries. Subjects presented a non-severe stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) (not considered as cardioembolic) and had not received…