Extending Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for TIA or Stroke

Although stroke is typically understood to be a medical emergency, the same pertains when cerebral ischemia produces seemingly mild or transient symptoms. For transient ischemic attack (TIA) and minor stroke, urgent evaluation and treatment are no less important than for larger strokes, given that the risk of recurrent stroke occurs early. Nearly half the 90-day stroke risk occurs within the first 48 hours after an event.1 The risk is modifiable with interventions such as aspirin2 or dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel–aspirin3,4 or ticagrelor–aspirin5 if it is initiated within 24 hours. The trials that established the efficacy of short-term dual antiplatelet . . .