Low dosages of aspirin (80 mg to 325 mg per day) are at least as effective as higher dosages (500 mg to 1000 mg per day) in preventing stroke in patients with cerebrovascular disease, according to new guidelines released recently by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP).
Reports presented at the Sixth ACCP Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy represent expert consensus on various complications of atherosclerosis and related medical and surgical conditions.
The guidelines' authors note that, in addition to aspirin, other antiplatelet drugs—including ticlopidine, clopidogrel, and dipyridamole—have also been found effective in preventing strokes and mortality from stroke.
They recommend that patients with a noncardioembolic stroke or with transient ischemic attacks should receive an antiplatelet agent regularly to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and other vascular events. The listed acceptable options for initial therapy are 50 mg to 325 mg per day of aspirin, a . . . [Full Text of this Article]
