Antithrombotic agents in cerebral ischaemia.
The current evidence suggests that aspirin is treatment of choice when compared to anticoagulants for patients with non-cardioembolic stroke. The usefulness of combination therapy (aspirin vs. with or without warfarin) is still debated. Likewise the combination of Aspirin with clopidogrel has no added advantage (MATCH Trial). However anticoagulant therapy significantly benefits high-risk patients with atrial fibrillation in the elderly subjects whereas aspirin may still be the drug of choice in stroke prevention in low risk group in the younger age. There is dire need for well planned randomized double blind controlled studies to define the role of Antithrombotic agents in "cryptogenic stroke" (PFO/ASD related) antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, arterial dissections and intraluminal clot syndromes. Evaluation and treatment of associated risk factors in all categories needs greater emphasis.
Dalal
P M
PM
LKMM Trust Research Centre at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra Reclamation, Mumbai.
Mishra
N K
NK
Bhattacharjee
Madhumita
M
Bhat
Priya
P
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D001241:Aspirin