Ticagrelor Falls Short (Barely) in Stroke Prevention

The composite endpoint of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death within 90 days was not significantly better with ticagrelor than with aspirin after TIA or minor stroke in a randomized trial.

Patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or minor strokes are at relatively high short-term risk for stroke. Aiming to reduce this risk, researchers studied the use of ticagrelor — a reversible inhibitor of the P2Y12 receptor on platelets that is approved for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes — compared with aspirin in patients with TIA or minor stroke (defined as an event with NIH Stroke Scale score ≤5) treated within 24 hours after symptom onset. In this manufacturer-sponsored, placebo-controlled trial, participants received either a 180-mg loading dose of ticagrelor on day 1 followed by 90 mg twice daily, or a 300-mg loading dose of aspirin followed by 100 mg daily. The primary endpoint was the composite of stroke, myocard…

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Ticagrelor Falls Short (Barely) in Stroke Prevention

Topics

Reviewing Author