Ticlopidine and Other Anti-Platelet Therapy

Stroke remains the third leading cause of death in North America accounting for 200,000 deaths annually. The majority of strokes are thromboembolic and are often preceded by transient ischemic attacks (TIA's), reversible ischemic neurologic deficits (RIND's) or minor strokes. Likewise, amaurosis fugax may be warning of an impending central retinal artery occlusion. The established role of platelets in arterial thrombosis has provided the rationale and impetus for many randomized studies of anti-platelet therapy in prevention of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.