TRENDS IN PRESCRIBING ANTIPLATELET DRUGS FOR SECONDARY PREVENTION OF NON-CARDIOEMBOLIC ISCHEMIC STROKE

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the trends of physicians and neurologists in prescribing anti-platelet agents for secondary prevention of non-cardio embolic stroke after 3 months of stroke.

Study Design: A descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore over a period of four months.

Material and Methods:

Patients suffering from old (≥3 months) non-cardio embolic stroke, taking anti-platelet agents for secondary prevention and visiting CMH Lahore neurology clinic. Information about their stroke and treatment was obtained from their previous investigations and medical prescriptions.

Results:

A total of 60 patients met the inclusion criteria of the study; 36 (60%) were taking a combination of clopidogrel 75mg plus Aspirin 75 mg and 12 (20%) received Aspirin 75 mg daily while 12 (20%) were getting other regimens.

Conclusion:

Combination of clopidogrel 75mg plus Aspirin 75 mg was the most common anti-platelet regimen prescribed for secondary prevention of non-cardio embolic stroke in our study population.