Prevention of stroke recurrence.
Stroke recurrence can be reduced substantially by intervention with the appropriate stroke preventive(s). Control of blood pressure, use of one of the antiplatelet agents aspirin, aspirin plus extended (modified)-release dipyridamole, or clopidogrel, administration of warfarin for patients with atrial fibrillation and high-risk profiles for stroke, and use of carotid endarterectomy in patients with high grades of symptomatic carotid artery stenosis are all proven therapies for prevention of stroke recurrence. Newer therapies to reduce the risk of infection and inflammation promise to further reduce the risk of first and recurrent stroke and are undergoing testing. In this article we review standard and more novel means to prevent stroke recurrence.
Gorelick
Philip B
PB
Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. pgorelic@rush.edu
D000368:Aged; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin; D004176:Dipyridamole; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine