Antiplatelet agents in secondary prevention of stroke: a perspective.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Antiplatelet agents are widely used in the secondary prevention of stroke and other vascular events. The purpose of this review is to give a perspective of the factors involved in clinical practice for selecting antiplatelet drugs appropriate to the patient population.

SUMMARY OF REVIEW: Aspirin remains the most popular drug, because it is modestly effective (approximately 25% risk reduction); however, it has undesirable side effects that are sometimes serious. The nonaspirin compounds are marginally more effective but are much more expensive and subject to commercial pressures from industry. A completely new look at these compounds is necessary, rather than spending more precious resources on "drug wars" that are expensive in time and money.

CONCLUSIONS

A "polypill" has been previously proposed, and possibly a combination of drugs targeted at the major vascular risk factors that is given to patients within 24 hours of initial stroke symptoms and to clearly defined patient populations may prove a solution.