Dual Antiplatelet Therapy vs. Alteplase for Mild Nondisabling Stroke

Excellent outcomes were seen with dual antiplatelet therapy.

Thrombolytic medications have comparable benefits to aspirin for nondisabling mild strokes in terms of recurrent stroke prevention but have increased bleeding risk. Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) has been shown to reduce recurrent stroke risk more than aspirin alone in these patients (N Engl J Med 2013; 369:11).

These authors conducted a randomized noninferiority trial of DAPT with aspirin plus clopidogrel versus alteplase in patients with a mild stroke (NIH stroke scale score ≤5 with no clear disability) treated at multiple centers in China. DAPT patients received a 300-mg loading dose of clopidogrel, followed by 75 mg daily for 12 days along with 100 mg of aspirin daily for 12 days. Alteplase was given in the standard fashion. Both group…

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

Dual Antiplatelet Therapy vs. Alteplase for Mild Nondisabling Stroke

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Reviewing Author