title: Ischemic stroke prevention: an update on antiplatelet therapy.
abstract: Stroke is the third leading cause of mortality in the United States. As the leading cause of neurological deficits worldwide, stroke is associated with tremendous costs both to society and to the individuals and families stroke impacts. Antiplatelet agents have demonstrated efficacy in preventing recurrent atherothrombotic strokes and are the principal pharmacologic modality employed. With the recent development of the thienopyridines and the resurgence of dipyridamole, recommendations for antiplatelet therapy have undergone several iterations over the past decade. The focus of this review is to provide an update on the individual antiplatelet agents and recapitulate the current guidelines for antiplatelet selection and use in either transient ischemic attack or noncardiogenic ischemic stroke patients. Mechanisms of action, demonstrated efficacy, adverse effect profiles, and current consensus recommendations are reviewed for four conventional antiplatelet strategies, aspirin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and the combination of aspirin and extended-release dipyridamole.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Pharmacy Practice, Little Rock 72205-7199, USA.
authors.forename: Kathryn K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Neill
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Luer
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors