Vaskulárna medicína 2/2014

Antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke

The role of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke, where anticoagulant therapy is not indicated, together with the optimal management of vascular risk factors is essential. Antiplatelet therapy is indicated already in the acute phase, when the secondary prevention is initiated. This therapy reduces the incidence of ischemic stroke in patients at risk of atherosclerosis and its known symptomatic cerebrovascular disease. The combination of antiplatelet drugs intensifies their effects. In patients with other medication it is necessary to think about the cumulative effect of individual drugs. It is therefore appropriate individual approach for the indication of antiplatelet therapy in terms of secondary prevention of ischemic stroke and equally as well as their side effects. Our article is to present an overview of knowledge in the use of antiplatelet therapy, their effects, dosage and side effects within the secondary prevention, which are supported by large clinical studies.

Keywords: antiplatelet therapy, stroke, acetylsalicylic acid, secondary prevention.