Aspirin benefit remains elusive in primary stroke prevention

Evaluation and management of acute ischemic stroke

Stroke continues to be a major cause of adult mortality and disability. After numerous clinical trials and hundreds of millions of dollars spent on research, only two drugs are effective in treating patients with acute stroke. Recombinant tissue-plasminogen activator improves the chance of an excellent outcome in treated patients by 30%. Danaparoid sodium improves the chance of a very favorable outcome in treated patients with stroke due to large artery atherosclerosis. Although acute treatments are limited, our understanding of stroke pathogenesis and the importance of preventing poststroke complications has improved patient outcome significantly.

Primary stroke prevention

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Although important advances in therapeutic approaches have been made, treatment is still far from satisfactory. Thus, major efforts should be made on stroke prevention. We present evidence-based recommendations for primary stroke prevention. Changes to modifiable risk factors, the role of drugs and surgery are discussed. New markers may help identification of subjects at high risk.