Antiplatelet Effect of Aspirin in Ischemic Stroke: A Hospital-based Study

Introduction: Aspirin is widely used for the treatment of stroke. Therefore aspirin resistance can lead to a significant increase in the burden of stroke. Platelet aggregation studies can evaluate platelet function, and this may help to detect anti-platelet resistance.

Methods: This is a hospital-based study of the antiplatelet effect of aspirin in ischemic stroke, during a duration of one year.

All first-time ischemic stroke patients >18 years of age were included. Platelet aggregometry test was done by LTA (Light transmission optical aggregometer), after starting the patients on oral aspirin.

Results: A total of 113 ischemic stroke patients were included for the antiplatelet effect of the aspirin study. Aspirin resistance was found in 18.58% of patients. Patients with aspirin resistance had higher mortality, and less improvement on follow-up, as compared to aspirin-sensitive patients. They had more incidence of smoking, alcohol abuse, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia, as compared to the aspirin-sensitive group. The results reveal that there is a non-statistically significant trend in both mortality and prognosis between the two study groups compared: aspirin-resistant versus aspirin-sensitive patients.

Conclusion: Aspirin resistance can lead to loss of functional improvement and more mortality than aspirin-sensitive patients. However, further study for drug interactions, adequate risk factor control, the genetic profile of the population is needed, to come to a definite conclusion.