title: Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke.
abstract: Thrombolytic and antithrombotic agents form the cornerstone of stroke treatment and prevention. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator improves outcome in patients treated within 3 hours of stroke onset. Emerging trials are directed to extend the therapeutic window and identify agents that could provide better safety profiles. Large, randomized trials have also highlighted the effectiveness and safety of early and continuous antiplatelet therapy in reducing atherothrombotic stroke recurrence. Aspirin has become the antiplatelet treatment standard against which several other antiplatelet agents have been shown to be more effective. The prevention of cardioembolic stroke is best accomplished with oral anticoagulation, barring any contraindications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: Lenore C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Ocava
authors.forename: Manjeet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Samit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malhotra
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rosenbaum
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015996:Survival Rate; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants