Aspirin for the limping brain.

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Abstract
An attempt was made to determine whether or not aspirin, a known and safe platelet inhibitor, could significantly reduce the incidence of TIA [transient cerebral ischemic attack] (limping brain) brought about by thrombotic changes and, if possible, of stroke in a population at risk when compared to placebo treated controls. Of a total of 88 patients treated for up to 6 mo. with aspirin, only 15 (19.2%) suffered an unfavorable outcome. Unfavorable outcomes included deaths due to cerebral infarction and to cardiovascular disease, death due to intracerebral hemorrhage, non-fatal cerebral infarction, retinal infarction and an excessive ratio of TIA in the post-allocation period when compared to the pre-allocation period. Of a total of 90 patients in the placebo treatment category 34 (44.2%) experienced an unfavorable outcome. While there were more non-fatal and fatal cerebral infarctions in the placebo treatment category it is clear from the data that the significant factor favoring aspirin over placebo treatment is the marked reduction in an excessive ratio of TIA in the aspirin treatment group. Aspirin joins anticoagulant and surgical therapy as an effective means of reducing TIA.