title: Current and future concepts in stroke prevention.
abstract: Stroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in an aging population. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic diseases, the most common cause of stroke, and the evidence for existing therapeutic interventions for the prevention of stroke are presented. Specifically, we review the evidence for antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, antihypertensive medications, lipid-lowering agents and carotid endarterectomy for stroke prevention.
authors.affiliation: Stroke Prevention Clinic, University of Alberta Hospital, Mackenzie Health Sciences Centre.
authors.forename: Fintan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Naeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Naveed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Akhtar
authors.forename: Ashfaq
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shuaib
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000639:trends*; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors