Stroke prevention therapy beyond antithrombotics: unifying mechanisms in ischemic stroke pathogenesis and implications for therapy: an invited review.
BACKGROUND
It is estimated that about half of cardiovascular disease risk is explained by conventional risk factors. The realization that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease has led to a search for new stroke and cardiovascular disease risk factors and treatments. As such, the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque has become the main focus for new medical strategies for plaque stabilization and stroke prevention.


RESULTS
In this invited review, I discuss inflammation as a possible risk factor for stroke, unifying mechanisms in ischemic stroke pathogenesis, and new avenues for stroke prevention---statin agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and vitamins. These new stroke prevention therapies may help to reduce inflammation, serve to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque, or act by other protective mechanisms.


CONCLUSIONS
Beyond the traditional antithrombotic agents, statin agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and vitamins may prove to be important additions to our armamentarium for stroke prevention.
Gorelick
Philip B
PB
Department of Neurologic Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill, USA. Philip_B_Gorelick@rush.edu
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014815:Vitamins