Antiplatelet therapy in secondary prevention of non-embolic ischaemic stroke

Abstract

The authors address the topic of antiplatelet therapy after a non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke. They discuss some controversial issues in therapy such as monotherapy versus combination therapy, short-term versus long-term therapy and whether current therapy should be modified or continued in the event a patient has experienced a stroke. Other outstanding issues dealt with include e.g., the risk of such therapy in patients developing cerebral microbleeds. While consensus has been reached by experts regarding the utility of dual therapy in the initial period, divergent opinions exist as to the selection of drugs and therapy duration. Definition of the optimal strategy is hindered by the lack of evidence and robust data from clinical trials.