Early-event pathways to 6-month death or dependency after ischemic stroke: Secondary analysis of the international stroke trial.
J Neurol SciJun 5, 2026 (epub)
Rocco Salvatore Calabrò, Andrea Calderone, Francesca Antonia Arcadi et al.
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In 30 seconds
This secondary analysis of the International Stroke Trial examined early-event pathways to 6-month death or dependency in 19,285 ischemic stroke patients. The study found that aspirin was associated with a small reduction in 6-month death or dependency (risk difference, -12.1 per 1000).
Key findings
- Aspirin reduced 6-month death or dependency by 12.1 per 1000 patients.
- The direct effect of aspirin was -9.8 per 1000 patients.
- Low-dose heparin showed a near-null total effect of 3.0 per 1000 patients.
- Higher-dose heparin indicated an unfavorable mortality signal of 15.6 per 1000 patients.
Why it matters
Understanding the early-event pathways after ischemic stroke can help clinicians better interpret treatment outcomes and the balance between benefits and risks associated with antithrombotic therapies.