Recurrent stroke: where do we stand with the secondary prevention of noncardioembolic ischaemic strokes?
Strokes recur in 6-20% of the patients, most commonly within the first year; after a TIA or minor stroke; most recurrences will occur within the first 90 days. Our ability to identify patients at high risk is poor and most recurrent strokes cannot be explained by traditional risk factors. In 30-45% of the cases the second stroke will be of a different subtype. Moreover, patients are faced with other risks, like cardiac events and cognitive decline. With the population aging, the need for timely and effective secondary prevention strategies is more pressing than ever. This paper summarizes recent advances in pharmacological secondary prevention after a non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke, and highlights critical questions still in need of answers.
Talelli
Penelope
P
Institute of Neurology, Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, University College London (UCL), London, UK. p.talelli@ion.ucl.ac.uk
Greenwood
Richard J
RJ
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors