Laboratory Effect on Platelet Activity within 24 h of the First 300-mg Oral Dose of Aspirin Given in Hospital during the Acute Phase of Ischemic Cerebral Events

Aspirin is the most commonly used antiplatelet treatment during the acute phase of cerebral ischemic events. It inhibits the production of thromboxane (TX) A(2), a powerful platelet activator. Despite this protection, early ischemic recurrences are frequent and considered clinical failures of this therapy. Only a few trials have focused on the use of antiplatelet therapy during this phase, and none has described the laboratory effect of the first dose of aspirin given after an ischemic cerebral event. However, this study may help clinicians to understand the mechanisms of early recurrences, and to design new therapeutic strategies, in particular for patients already treated with a daily dose of aspirin.