About 75 percent of patients in each group experienced a positive outcome at 3 months, a higher rate than that reported in other similar stroke trials. The investigators noted worsening in the condition within the first week in about 10 percent of patients in both groups. Less than two percent of patients in both groups had a recurrent stroke within the first week after the initial stroke. Thus, the urgency for treatment with anticoagulants to prevent recurrent stroke may not be as great as previously thought. As part of the trial, the investigators established a guideline to classify different subtypes of ischemic stroke, such as strokes secondary to clots arising in the heart.
Stroke often results when blood clots form on the surface of the plaques in the arteries.
However, the value of giving these medications to patients once a stroke had occurred was uncertain. Unfortunately, heparin has potentially dangerous side effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding. Still, these newer agents also carry risks, primarily bleeding, especially in the area of the brain where the stroke occurred. A Randomized Controlled Trial. Definitions for use in a multicenter clinical trial.