Secondary prevention of ischemic stroke: from recommendations to real clinical practice

Abstract

Objective: to estimate the quality of basic drug therapy in patients with prior ischemic stroke and to analyze the rate and pattern of cardiovascular events according to the data of a prospective follow-up. Patients and methods. The study included 164 patients with acute ischemic stroke and sinus rhythm. After hospital discharge, the patients were surveyed by telephone survey to assess their compliance and to record cases of cardiovascular events. Results. The duration of the prospective follow-up was 21 (15; 44) months. Thirty-five (21%) patients were found to have cardiovascular events, including fatal ones in 13 (8%) patients. The latter as compared with the others, were older; they were frequently recorded to have recurrent ischemic strokes, stable forms of coronary heart disease (postinfarct cardiosclerosis, angina on exertion), a higher cardiovascular risk by the ESRS scale, they were less frequently treated with antithrombotic agents, indirect anticoagulants in particular (p < 0.05).