[The treatment of transitory ischemic attacks with acetylsalicylic acid: results of a double-blind-study (author's transl)].

In a randomised double-blind longterm study the value of acetylsalicylic acid in prophylaxis against relapse was investigated against placebo in 58 patients with transitory ischemic attacks of prolonged reversible insults. During the 24 months of observation, significantly fewer relapses of cerebral ischemia occurred in patients with carotid transient ischemia attacks under acetylsalicyclic acid than in the control group. The recurrences usually took the form of transitory ischemic attacks. Of the 5 cerebral infarcts, 4 occurred in the control group, 3 patients died. Patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency showed no response. On account of the relatively small number of patients the result of the study is to be regarded rather as a confirmation of the results of a larger series of investigations in the USA and Canada than solely a proof of the efficacy of acetylsalicylic acid.