Aspirin is used to help prevent transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, and recurrent stroke in patients who have already experienced a stroke. According to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, a combination of aspirin and another medication called dipyridamole is more effective than aspirin alone in the secondary prevention of TIA or stroke.

Scientists from University Medical Center Utrecht in The Netherlands and their colleagues analyzed data on 7612 patients from five previously published trials to study the effect of combination therapy with aspirin and dipyridamole versus aspirin alone. They found that combination therapy was more effective in preventing TIA and stroke, regardless of age, gender, and history of high blood pressure or diabetes.

The researchers conclude that the combination of aspirin and dipyridamole should be the standard of care for preventing recurrent stroke in patients who have had a prior stroke that was caused by a vascular event.