Prognosis of prophylactic anticoagulant treatment in ischaemic stroke.

Two groups of patients who had a stroke, prolonged reversible ischaemic neurological deficit or transient ischaemic attacks were compared; one group was treated with anticoagulants (phenprocoumon) and a matched control group was treated with other substances. Results showed a similar survival rate in both groups, but significantly fewer recurrences were seen in the surviving patients treated with anticoagulants.