title: Antithrombotic and thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke.
abstract: Thrombolytic and antithrombotic agents form the cornerstone of stroke treatment and prevention. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activation (rt-PA) improves the outcome in patients treated within 3 hours of stroke onset. The risk-benefit ratio is narrow because of an increased risk for bleeding, but studies do not support a higher risk in the geriatric population. Emerging trials are directed at extending the therapeutic window and identifying 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, SUNY Downstate, 450 Clarkson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Cornett
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: D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001557:Benzenesulfonates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000453:epidemiology; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D015897:Comorbidity; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011322:Primary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013318:Stroke Volume; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001557:Benzenesulfonates; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C120851:disufenton sodium; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin