title: Epidemiology of and stroke-preventive strategies for atherothromboembolic brain infarction in the elderly.
abstract: Age is the most important risk factor for ischemic stroke. The most common cause of ischemic stroke in the elderly is atherosclerosis. Patients who have had a recent transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at high risk for subsequent stroke. Thus far only aspirin and ticlopidine have proven to be effective in preventing stroke. At present, all elderly patients who have had an atherothromboembolic TIA or stroke should receive therapy as well as either aspirin or ticlopidine for control of atherosclerotic risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City.
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Gordon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin; D010431:Pentoxifylline