A comparative study of dual versus monoantiplatelet therapy in patients with acute large-artery atherosclerosis stroke.

BACKGROUND

Antiplatelet drugs are recommended for patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke. However, few randomized clinical trials have investigated the safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy for these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin (combination therapy) and aspirin alone (monotherapy) on neurologic deterioration, platelet activation, and other short-term outcomes in patients with acute large-artery atherosclerosis stroke.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Altogether 574 patients with acute (≤2 days) large-artery atherosclerosis stroke were randomly assigned to receive either combined clopidogrel and aspirin or aspirin alone. Platelet aggregation and platelet-leukocyte aggregation studies were performed at days 1 and 30. Primary outcomes including recurrent ischemic stroke, neurologic deterioration, periphery vascular events, and myocardial infarction were monitored. Safety endpoints were hemorrhagic episodes and death.

RESULTS

The prevalence of neurologic deterioration and recurrent ischemic stroke were lower in patients in the combination therapy group than in those of the monotherapy group (3.52% versus 9.78% and 1.76% versus 6.29%, respectively). At day 30 of treatment, the platelet aggregations and platelet-leukocyte aggregates were lower in patients who were treated with clopidogrel and aspirin than in patients given aspirin alone (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with acute large-artery atherosclerosis stroke, treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin for 1 month provided significantly greater inhibition of platelet activity than aspirin alone. Thus, dual therapy can be safer and more effective in reducing ischemic stroke recurrence and neurologic deterioration.