A Clinical Update on Antiplatelet Therapy in Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Antiplatelet therapy remains the standard of care in secondary stroke prevention for non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack. We aim to examine the use of antiplatelet agents in secondary prevention through highlighting relevant clinical trials and meta-analyses as well as providing commentary regarding our practice. RECENT FINDINGS: In the POINT and CHANCE trials, dual antiplatelet therapy reduced recurrent stroke compared to aspirin monotherapy. Sub-analyses of these trials suggest that genetic polymorphisms could play a role in diminishing the effectiveness of clopidogrel. Similarly, THALES demonstrated better outcomes with ticagrelor-aspirin combination therapy over aspirin monotherapy. Combination antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and the P2Y12 inhibitors, clopidogrel and ticagrelor, reduced stroke recurrence in those presenting with mild ischemic stroke or high risk TIA. Genetic polymorphisms may play a role in determining the appropriate regimen. Questions remain regarding the optimal duration of combination antiplatelet therapy for various stroke etiologies.

Effect of bodyweight on VerifyNow Aspirin platelet function test: a retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: Antiplatelet therapy is used to prevent stent thrombosis in intracranial stents, but the optimal dose of aspirin is unknown. This study sought to determine whether the degree of platelet inhibition with aspirin is affected by bodyweight as observed through a platelet reactivity assay. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent neurovascular stent placement and had a VerifyNow Aspirin assay result. The primary outcome was the correlation between the VerifyNow Aspirin result, bodyweight, and the initial dose of aspirin. Secondary outcomes included the impact of the VerifyNow P2Y12 result and of weight on the incidence of bleeding or a thrombotic event. RESULTS: Of the 142 included patients, 62.7% weighed ≥70 kg and 88.7% were initiated on aspirin 300-325 mg daily. 83.8% achieved a therapeutic VerifyNow Aspirin result. There was minimal correlation between the VerifyNow Aspirin result, bodyweight, and aspirin dose (R2=0.02). Between patients who weighed <70 kg versus ≥70 kg, there was no difference in the mean aspirin reaction units (ARU) (449 vs 435, p=0.32) or in the incidence of bleeding (28% vs 17.1%, p=0.14) or a thrombotic event (4% vs 5.3%, p=0.59). No patient experienced stent thrombosis and eight patients experienced in-stent stenosis. In a multivariate analysis, only the VerifyNow P2Y12 result predicted the development of either bleeding or a thrombotic event (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Bodyweight did not influence the likelihood of obtaining a therapeutic VerifyNow Aspirin result. The clinical utility of obtaining VerifyNow Aspirin assays for this patient population is unknown.

Use of intubation introducers through a supraglottic airway to facilitate tracheal intubation: a brief review.

PURPOSE: This article is a narrative review regarding the usage and effectiveness of introducers or catheters to facilitate tracheal intubation through a supraglottic airway (SGA) as an alternative intubation technique in normal and difficult airway management. SOURCES: Relevant articles were obtained through Medline (1948-July 2011). The articles were subsequently cross-referenced for additional literature, and only articles published in English were included. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this review, we consider 32 reports using the LMA Classic™, LMA Unique™, LMA ProSeal™, LMA Supreme™, AuraOnce™, and i-gel™ as SGA conduits for intubation. In 13 articles, the use of an Aintree Intubation Catheter was described as an intubation introducer and resulted in high success rates in both elective and emergent situations. Eight studies used a guidewire exchange catheter technique. Although blind intubation using a guidewire resulted in a high failure rate, these studies found that using a bronchoscope improved successful intubation. Ten studies showed that insertion of a gum elastic bougie with a bronchoscope as an intubation introducer has high success rates compared with blind bougie insertion. One article described the use of a small endotracheal tube as an intermediary for tracheal intubation. CONCLUSIONS: In failed intubation scenarios, supraglottic airways, such as the LMA Classic™ or LMA ProSeal™ can serve as a conduit for tracheal intubation. A number of techniques using introducers or catheters can facilitate the insertion of an adequately sized endotracheal tube, particularly guided by a bronchoscope. Usage of introducers or catheters through a supraglottic airway may be a useful alternative intubation technique in difficult airway management.