Muhammad Ali Yousaf, Zill-e Humayun Mirza, Fawad Ahmad, Muhammad Javad Yousaf, Muhammad Hussain.
Comparison of anti-platelets versus anti-coagulants in patients with cryptogenic stroke in prevention of recurrent stroke and TIA.
Pak Armed Forces Med J Jan ;68(4):784-7.

Objective:  To compare the efficacy of anti-platelets and anti-coagulants in patients with cryptogenic stroke in prevention of recurrent stroke and TIA. Study Design:  Cross-sectional comparative study. Place and Duration of Study:  Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital Quetta, from Jan 2017 to Dec 2017. Material and Materials:  Total of 30 patients with cryptogenic stroke fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in study, 22 were males and 08 females. They were divided into two groups with 15 patients in each. Group A was treated with anti-platelets and group B with anti-coagulants.1.5 tesla MRI was used to assess the results of the two therapies. Results:  About 46.67% (n=7) in group A and 6.67% (n=1) in group B had repeated ischemic stroke (p-vlaue=0.01). 40% (n=6) in group A and 13.33% (n=2) in group B had TIA like episodes at one year (p-vlaue=0.02). Conclusion:  Anti-coagulants were more effective in secondary stroke prevention in cryptogenic stroke as compared to anti-platelets at one year, provided no contraindications were present to either.  

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