Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke.
Antithrombotic and thrombolytic agents form the cornerstone of stroke prevention and treatment. Large, randomized trials have also highlighted the effectiveness and safety of early and continuous antiplatelet therapy in reducing atherothrombotic stroke recurrence. Aspirin is the antiplatelet treatment standard against which several other antiplatelet agents (ticlopidine, clopidogrel, aspirin-dipyridamole) have been shown to be more effective. The prevention of cardioembolic stroke is best accomplished with oral anticoagulation, barring any contraindications. The thrombolytic agent, rt-PA, improves outcome in ischemic stroke patients treated within 3 hours of onset. The risk-benefit ratio is narrow because of an increased risk for bleeding but studies do not support a higher risk in the geriatric population.
Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Savitz
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Gupta
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Singh
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Rosenbaum
D000208:Acute Disease; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors