The Effect of a Platelet Inhibiting Drug (Sulfinpyrazone) in the Therapy of Patients with Transient Ischemic Attacks (Tia’s) and Minor Strokes
A prospective double blind randomized trial of sulfinpyrazone and placebo is described in patients with TIA’S and minor strokes. The criteria for entry into the Study were patients with at least two transient ischemic attacks within a two-week period or patients with a minor fixed neurological deficit resulting from cerebrovascular occlusive disease. All patients had routine laboratory, special platelet aggregation studies, and cerebral arteriography. Several had initial and subsequent platelet survival studies. To insure equivalence of the two groups, patients were randomly assigned to categories reflecting their risk factors and age. Patients were followed every three months with appropriate laboratory and platelet studies. Interval follow-up occured when side effects or additional symptoms appeared.When patients failed on sulfinpyrazone, they were placed on sulfinpyrazone and Coumadin. Patients who failed on placebo were placed on sulfinpyrazone followed by sulfinpyrazone and Coumadin if subsequent failure occured. Failure was defined as two transient ischemic attacks within a two-week period or an additional stroke syndrome.New patients will be enrolled for three years, and all patients will be followed for five years. All data is incorporated into computer files.Preliminary results relating to the first sixty patients will be presented.