Researchers from the Weill Cornell Medical Center in the United States have highlighted a significant risk factor associated with post-stroke mortality. This risk is linked to the use of multiple anti-clotting medications or drugs stronger than aspirin. The findings of the relevant study have been published in the journal of the American Heart Association (AHA).
Antiplatelet agents function by reducing the stickiness of platelets, thereby inhibiting the formation of blood clots. They are prescribed to prevent both heart attacks and ischemic strokes. Aspirin is intended to have a mild blood-thinning effect, while more potent medications—such as clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor—are sometimes prescribed in combination with aspirin to enhance efficacy.
The fresh investigation involved a cohort of 426,481 patients who had experienced intracerebral hemorrhage. Out of this group, 109,512 patients were taking a single antiplatelet agent, 17,009 were on a combination of two similar drugs, and 300,558 were not taking any antiplatelet aggregation inhibitors.
The analysis demonstrated that therapy with aspirin alone did not result in an elevated risk of death. However, patients prescribed stronger medications or a regimen involving multiple antiplatelet drugs faced increased chances of a fatal outcome.
Experts emphasize that the administration of such medications must strictly occur only under the guidance of regular physician consultations to ensure both their safety and the overall benefit for the individual patient.
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