Novel therapies for the prevention of stroke.

Abstract

The health and economic burden of stroke to society is enormous. Pharmacological therapies remain the primary stroke prevention strategy for the vast majority. Several existing and newer pharmacological agents aimed at the treatment of hypertension and lowering cholesterol are proving to be effective. For example, the antiplatelet agent clopidogrel has reduced end points in the secondary prevention of stroke, as have combinations of aspirin with traditional therapies, including dipyramidole. The direct oral thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran is a novel oral anticoagulant that has shown significant potential as a possible replacement to warfarin therapy, for the prevention of stroke for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Additional novel agents with hypothetical, although not yet proven, benefits in stroke prevention include fish oils, homocysteine-lowering therapy and anti-inflammatory agents. Finally, a controversial novel polypill, which would include fixed combinations of several pharmacological agents, may yet become a realistic and promising stroke prevention option.

• Authors: Christopher J Boos, Gregory Y H Lip
• Journal: Expert opinion on investigational drugs (Expert Opin Investig Drugs) Vol. 13 Issue 12 Pg. 1615-30 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 1744-7658 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 15566318 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Anticoagulants
• Antihypertensive Agents
• Fish Oils
• Homocysteine

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use)
• Anticoagulants (therapeutic use)
• Antihypertensive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Fish Oils (therapeutic use)
• Homocysteine (metabolism)
• Humans
• Preventive Medicine (trends)
• Stroke (prevention & control)
• Treatment Outcome