The Effect and Safety of Combined Anti-platelet Treatment in Acute Ischemic Stroke Due to Large Artery Atherosclerosis

Currently, aspirin plus clopidogrel is considered as a standard acute treatment of ischemic stroke, based on results of CHANCE and POINT trial. However, still a considerable portion of patients showed early stroke recurrence, especially in those with stroke due to large artery atherosclerosis. Cilostazol may have benefit in reducing early stroke recurrence of neurologic deterioriation. The post-hoc analysis of CSPS.com showed that use of cilostazol after 15 days of stroke was effective for preventing subsequent stroke. The effect of adding cilostazol was more effective in those with large artery atherosclerosis and those receiving clopidogrel than aspirin.