Aspirin for prevention of stroke: a review.

Most neurologists concede that thromboembolism is the principal pathogenetic mechanism for ischemic cerebrovascular disease, including both transient ischemic attacks and cerebral infarction. Surgical removal of atherosclerotic lesions may eradicate the site of origin of emboli, but a safer and more rational approach may be found in using antithrombotic drugs. Aspirin has been shown in clinical trials to be an effective agent in treating transient ischemic attacks and preventing infarction. An apparent difference in response between men and women patients was found in the results of one large study but not substantiated by others. It has been suggested that a lower dose of aspirin than that used in these trials may be equally or more effective. This proposition still needs to be tested in a clinical trial.