CARDIOLOGY AND VASCULAR
DIABETES
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
NEUROLOGY
PHARMACOLOGY
Pharmacological treatments for people with acute stroke
Focusing on therapies useful in ischaemic events, this article outlines the best treatments available
February 1, 2012
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Stroke is a common, debilitating disease process which requires an organised, multifaceted approach to ensure good outcomes. In this review article the primary focus is on acute pharmacological treatments of ischaemic stroke.
There is significant overlap in general principles of stroke management, whether it is ischaemic or haemorrhagic in aetiology, however, this review will refer predominately to therapies useful in ischaemic events. The principles of pharmacological management of stroke include prevention of propagation of the stroke and regulation of physiological parameters.
Antiplatelet therapy
Already well-established agents in long-term secondary prevention of stroke, the benefits of antiplatelet therapy in acute stroke is tempered by the risk of haemorrhagic transformation of the infarct.
Aspirin
The role of aspirin in improving acute stroke outcome was established in two randomised control trials: the International Stroke Trial (IST) and the Chinese Aspirin Stroke Trial (CAST).1,2
Combining these two studies, in 40,000 patients a small but significant benefit was seen in patients who received aspirin within 48 hours of onset of symptoms with one better outcome per 100 people treated. On exclusion of haemorrhage on cerebral imaging, a loading dose of 300mg of aspirin should be given. If concern exists for safety of the patient’s swallow, this can be given via nasogastric tube or via suppository.
The National Clinical Stroke Guidelines recommend continuing 300mg once daily for two weeks followed by definitive antithrombotic therapy for long-term prevention thereafter.3 If a history of aspirin-related dyspepsia exists, the addition of a proton pump inhibitor is appropriate.
Other agents
The role of clopidogrel is less well defined in acute stroke with fewer data available to support its use. However, in the setting of hypersensitivity to aspirin-containing products or severe dyspepsia secondary to aspirin then clopidogrel may be used. Similar to aspirin, a loading dose of 300mg should be given. There are almost no data on the effects of dipyridamole in acute stroke and therefore it is not recommended.
Anticoagulation
Systemic full-dose anticoagulation is equally as effective as aspirin in reducing mortality and functional dependence, however, it carries a significant intracranial and extracranial haemorrhage risk and therefore is not routinely used.
This haemorrhage risk also has implications in the management of cardioembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Given the potential for haemorrhagic transformation of the infarct, a common approach is to wait up to two weeks before starting the definitive antithrombotic therapy, particularly with large infarcts. In less severe strokes and those that show early recovery, treatment is often initiated sooner, however, there is no clear evidence to guide practice in this regard. Immobilised patients such as those with stroke are at a high risk of DVT and pulmonary embolism. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) given as prophylaxis is known to reduce the incidence of DVT but also increase risk of cerebral haemorrhage.
The recent recommendations of the American College of Physicians4 advise:
- Assessment of the risk for thromboembolism and bleeding in medical (including stroke) patients prior to initiation of prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism
- Pharmacological prophylaxis with heparin or a related drug for venous thromboembolism in medical (including stroke) patients unless the assessed risk for bleeding outweighs the likely benefits
- Against the use of mechanical prophylaxis with graduated compression stockings for prevention of venous thromboembolism
- No support for the application of performance measures in medical (including stroke) patients that promote universal venous thromboembolism prophylaxis regardless of risk
If a patient with an ischaemic stroke develops a DVT then it is appropriate to treat with LMWH. In the setting of intracranial haemorrhage a Greenfield vena cava filter could be placed.
Control of physiological parameters
Any patient who has suffered a stroke should be managed and monitored in an appropriate setting, ie. a dedicated stroke unit or high-dependency bed. This facilitates more vigorous observation of their physiological parameters (see Table 1). The extent and intensity to which these parameters should be controlled is still somewhat contentious.