Selecting an optimal antiplatelet agent for secondary stroke prevention

Four seminal randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated aspirin, aspirin plus extended release dipyridamole, and clopidogrel for the prevention of recurrent vascular events. Despite studying over 32,000 stroke patients in these trials, the decision which antiplatelet agent to select for secondary stroke prevention remains controversial. Attempts to translate the results of these RCTs into clinical practice are complicated by each trial’s selection of participants and choice of primary outcome. Herein, we argue that by examining RCT results with participant selection limited to patients with ischemic stroke or TIA and by focusing on recurrent stroke as our outcome, we can use the standard epidemiology two-by-two table to assist in selecting an antiplatelet agent for secondary stroke prevention.