Medical prevention of stroke and stroke recurrence in patients with TIA and minor stroke.
BACKGROUND
Secondary stroke prevention after transient ischemic stroke (TIA) or minor stroke is of major importance in order to avoid recurrent cerebrovascular events and decrease morbidity and mortality.


OBJECTIVE
Systematically review of recently published, high-quality studies emphasizing the need for emergency assessment and treatment of patients with TIA and minor stroke and to give a comprehensive and distinct overview over medical secondary stroke prevention trials performed in these patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation and implementation of preventive stroke therapy has to be immediate in patients with TIA and stroke. For patients with non-cardioembolic stroke, antiplatelet agents are the treatment of choice. Aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole and clopidogrel are more effective than aspirin and should be used in patients with a high risk of recurrent stroke. Oral anticoagulation is highly effective in patients with a cardiac source of embolism. Treatment of risk factors such as arterial hypertension and high cholesterol is even more important in secondary stroke prevention than in primary prevention. Vitamin supplementation and lowering of elevated levels of homocysteine are not effective in stroke prevention.
Weber
Ralph
R
University Duisburg-Essen, Department of Neurology and Stroke Center, Hufeland Street 55, 45122 Essen, Germany.
Weimar
Christian
C
Diener
Hans-Christoph
HC
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors