Ischemic Stroke Prevention: Are Two Antiplatelet Agents Better than One in Older Adults?

Sheri L. Koshman, BScPharm, ACPR, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Glen J. Pearson, BSc, BScPhm, PharmD, FCSHP, Associate Professor of Medicine; Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.

Antiplatelet agents are the cornerstone of secondary prevention for patients who present with an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). At present, monotherapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or clopidogrel or the combination regimen of ASA plus extended-release dipyridamole are recommended as first-line options in the stroke prevention guidelines. The combination of ASA and clopidogrel is not routinely recommended for secondary stroke prevention, since it has been shown to offer no therapeutic advantage and an increased risk of bleeding. The clear answer as to whether one or two antiplatelet agents are better for the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke events in older adults depends upon the combination of agents, as well as the monotherapy comparator.
Key words: stroke prevention, clopidogrel, acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole, antiplatelet agents.

Medical Therapy for Stroke Prevention in the Older Patient: What to Do When Aspirin Isn’t Enough

The accredited CME learning activity based on this article is offered under the auspices of the CE department of the University of Toronto. Participating physicians are entitled to one (1) MAINPRO-M1 credit by completing this program, found online at www.geriatricsandaging.ca/cme.htm

L. Creed Pettigrew, MD, MPH, Professor of Neurology, Director, Stroke Program, Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, USA.

Stroke is the most common life-threatening neurological disease and is the fourth leading cause of death among adult Canadians. Aspirin is the most frequently prescribed antithrombotic drug to prevent stroke but may not be a suitable choice in older patients who have already had stroke symptoms despite its use, or cannot tolerate its side effects. For these patients, clopidogrel or the combination of low-dose aspirin with extended release (ER) dipyridamole should be considered for prevention of stroke. This review will compare the relative benefits of aspirin, clopidogrel, and low-dose aspirin/ER-dipyridamole in geriatric patients at risk for stroke.

Key words: stroke, myocardial infarction, aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole.