Faculty Opinions recommendation of Pooled RCTs: After ischemic stroke or TIA, aspirin for secondary prevention reduced early recurrence and severity.

Author(s):  
Jose Biller ◽  
Michael Schneck
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary B. Bulwa ◽  
Scott J. Mendelson ◽  
James R. Brorson

Recent studies of interventions initiated acutely following onset of minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) have disclosed early stroke recurrence rates that are substantially higher than long-term recurrence rates and that can be reduced by acute antiplatelet treatment interventions. These observations, bolstered by analysis based on kinetic modeling of the time course of recurrence following initial events, suggest that acute stroke patients experience an underlying vulnerable state that quickly transitions to a more stable state. Some evidence also supports the benefits of early treatment with direct-acting oral anticoagulants in cardioembolic stroke and of continuation or early initiation of statin therapy in atherosclerotic stroke. Treatment of ischemic stroke should address the transient vulnerable state that follows the initial event, employing measures aiming to avert early recurrence of thromboembolism and to promote stabilization of vulnerable arterial plaque. These measures constitute acute secondary prevention following ischemic stroke.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Orla C. Sheehan ◽  
Mandip S. Dhamoon ◽  
Janet Prvu Bettger ◽  
Jin Huang ◽  
Chelsea Liu ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Giustozzi

Abstract Background The optimal timing for starting anticoagulation after an acute ischemic stroke related to non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge, especially in patients treated with systemic thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. Purpose We aimed to assess the rates of early recurrence and major bleeding in patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF treated with thrombolytic therapy and/or thrombectomy who received oral anticoagulants for secondary prevention. Methods We combined the dataset of the RAF and the RAF-NOACs studies, which were prospective observational studies carried out from January 2012 to March 2014 and April 2014 to June 2016, respectively. We included consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke and AF treated with either vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or new oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Primary outcome was the composite of stroke, transient ischemic attack, symptomatic systemic embolism, symptomatic cerebral bleeding, and major extracerebral bleeding within 90 days from the inclusion. Results A total of 2,159 patients were included in the RAF and RAF-NOACs trials, of which 564 patients (26%) were treated with urgent reperfusion therapy. After acute stroke, 505 (90%) patients treated with reperfusion and 1,287 out of the 1,595 (81%) patients not treated with reperfusion started oral anticoagulation. Timing of starting oral anticoagulation was similar in reperfusion-treated and untreated patients (13.5±23.3 vs 12.3±18.3 days, respectively, p=0.287). At 90 days, the composite rate of recurrence and major bleeding occurred in 37 (7%) of patients treated with reperfusion treatment and in 139 (9%) of untreated patients (p=0.127). Twenty-four (4%) reperfusion-treated patients and 82 (5%) untreated patients had early recurrence while major bleeding occurred in 13 (2%) treated and in 64 (4%) untreated patients, respectively. Seven patients in the untreated group experienced both an ischemic and hemorrhagic event. Figure 1 shows the risk of early recurrence and major bleeding over time in patients treated and not treated with reperfusion treatments. The use of NOACs was associated with a favorable rate of the primary outcome compared to VKAs (Odd ratio 0.4, 95% Confidence Interval 0.3–0.7). Conclusions Reperfusion treatment did not influence the risk of early recurrence and major bleeding in patients with AF-related acute ischemic stroke who started anticoagulant treatment. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Vascular ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qingjie Su ◽  
Kunxiong Yuan ◽  
Faqing Long ◽  
Zhongqin Wan ◽  
Chaoyun Li ◽  
...  

Survivors of ischemic stroke are still at a significant risk for recurrence. Numerous effective strategies for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke have now been established; however, these guidelines are not widely known. In this retrospective, a multicenter study was conducted from January 2011 to February 2012 in 10 general hospitals, which included 1300 elderly patients who had previously been diagnosed with ischemic stroke and re-admitted to hospitals. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine the relationship between compliance with secondary prevention therapy and each variable of interest. The treatment rates of antihypertensive, antiplatelet and lipid-lowering therapy were only 56.3%, 48.9% and 19.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis presented that cardiovascular risk factors would motivate patients with hypertension and hyperlipidemia to receive corresponding treatments. However, it is worth noting that they did not influence the use of antiplatelet therapy. In addition, high education, health education and insurance promote the use of secondary prevention in patients. In conclusion, the importance of antiplatelet therapy should not be ignored any more. Besides, health education will raise patients’ attention to ischemic stroke.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 302-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongjun Wang ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
Chuanqiang Pu

Ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are the most common cerebrovascular disorder and leading cause of death in China. The Effective secondary prevention is the vital strategy for reducing stroke recurrence. The aim of this guideline is to provide the most updated evidence-based recommendation to clinical physicians from the prior version. Control of risk factors, intervention for vascular stenosis/occlusion, antithrombotic therapy for cardioembolism, and antiplatelet therapy for noncardioembolic stroke are all recommended, and the prevention of recurrent stroke in a variety of uncommon causes and subtype provided as well. We modified the level of evidence and recommendation according to part of results from domestic RCT in order to facility the clinical practice.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 59
Author(s):  
Adam Wiśniewski

Effective platelet inhibition is the main goal of the antiplatelet therapy recommended as a standard treatment in the secondary prevention of non-embolic ischemic stroke. Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and clopidogrel are commonly used for this purpose worldwide. A low biological response to antiplatelet agents is a phenomenon that significantly reduces the therapeutic and protective properties of the therapy. The mechanisms leading to high on-treatment platelet reactivity are still unclear and remain multifactorial. The aim of the current review is to establish the background of resistance to antiplatelet agents commonly used in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and to explain the possible mechanisms. The most important factors influencing the incidence of a low biological response were demonstrated. The similarities and the differences in resistance to both drugs are emphasized, which may facilitate the selection of the appropriate antiplatelet agent in relation to specific clinical conditions and comorbidities. Despite the lack of indications for the routine assessment of platelet reactivity in stroke subjects, this should be performed in selected patients from the high-risk group. Increasing the detectability of low antiaggregant responders, in light of its negative impact on the prognosis and clinical outcomes, can contribute to a more individualized approach and modification of the antiplatelet therapy to maximize the therapeutic effect in the secondary prevention of stroke.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis M. Beltrán Romero ◽  
Antonio J. Vallejo-Vaz ◽  
Ovidio Muñiz Grijalvo

Elevated low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) is a causal factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD); accordingly, LDL-C lowering is associated with a decreased risk of progression of atherosclerotic plaques and development of complications. Currently, statins play a central role in any ASCVD management and prevention strategies, in relation to their lipid-lowering action and potentially to pleiotropic effects. After coronary artery disease, stroke is the most frequent cause of ASCVD mortality and the leading cause of acquired disability, a major public health problem. There is often a tendency to aggregate all types of stroke (atherothrombotic, cardioembolic, and haemorrhagic), which have, however, different causes and pathophysiology, what may lead to bias when interpreting the results of the studies. Survivors of a first atherothrombotic ischemic stroke are at high risk for coronary events, recurrent stroke, and vascular death. Although epidemiological studies show a weak relationship between cholesterol levels and cerebrovascular disease as a whole compared with other ASCVD types, statin intervention studies have demonstrated a decrease in the risk of stroke in patients with atherosclerosis of other territories and a decrease in all cardiovascular events in patients who have had a stroke. The Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) trial demonstrated the benefit of high doses of atorvastatin in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke. In this review, we discuss the evidence, use and recommendations of statins in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, and their role in other scenarios such as the acute phase of ischemic stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, cardioembolic stroke, small vessel disease, and cognitive impairment.


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