What combination of medications should be started within the first 48 hours after ischemic stroke to prevent recurrence?

What combination of medications should be started within the first 48 hours after ischemic stroke to prevent recurrence?

• A. Warfarin and aspirin
• B. Aspirin and statin
• C. Clopidogrel and aspirin
• D. NSAIDs

Answer: (B)

In ischemic stroke, preventing recurrence starts in the acute phase by addressing both platelet activity and vascular risk. Starting an antiplatelet agent promptly helps reduce the chance of another ischemic event, with aspirin being a standard choice in the early hours. Pairing this with a statin soon after the event provides stabilizing and anti-inflammatory benefits for atherosclerotic plaques, lowers future cardiovascular risk, and guidelines support initiating or continuing statin therapy for secondary prevention regardless of baseline cholesterol. Warfarin is not routinely used in noncardioembolic stroke in the acute period because it raises bleeding risk without proven advantage for preventing recurrence. Dual antiplatelet therapy can be appropriate for specific cases like minor stroke or high-risk TIA, but it isn’t the general approach for all patients in the first 48 hours due to bleeding risk. NSAIDs likewise aren’t indicated for recurrence prevention after stroke. So the combination of aspirin and a statin best fits the goal of reducing recurrence risk when started within the first 48 hours.

In ischemic stroke, preventing recurrence starts in the acute phase by addressing both platelet activity and vascular risk. Starting an antiplatelet agent promptly helps reduce the chance of another ischemic event, with aspirin being a standard choice in the early hours. Pairing this with a statin soon after the event provides stabilizing and anti-inflammatory benefits for atherosclerotic plaques, lowers future cardiovascular risk, and guidelines support initiating or continuing statin therapy for secondary prevention regardless of baseline cholesterol. Warfarin is not routinely used in noncardioembolic stroke in the acute period because it raises bleeding risk without proven advantage for preventing recurrence. Dual antiplatelet therapy can be appropriate for specific cases like minor stroke or high-risk TIA, but it isn’t the general approach for all patients in the first 48 hours due to bleeding risk. NSAIDs likewise aren’t indicated for recurrence prevention after stroke. So the combination of aspirin and a statin best fits the goal of reducing recurrence risk when started within the first 48 hours.