The SPS3 study team is seeking the safest and most effective way to prevent another stroke in patients who have already suffered a small subcortical stroke. These strokes, often called “Lacunar Strokes”, affect the inner part of the brain causing small “pea-sized” areas of damage due to blockage of small blood vessels within the brain. About 150,00 strokes of this type happen each year in the United States.
Aspirin is the medicine most widely used to prevent subcortical strokes. Clopidogrel is a medicine that many doctors use too, to prevent these types of strokes. Both of these medicines affect blood clotting and now are widely prescribed for stroke prevention.
Aspirin combined with clopidogrel will be tested (in the SPS3 study) to learn if these medications together are more effective than aspirin alone. Also hypertensive patients will be treated to different levels of control using commonly prescribed medications.
(1) Are at least 40 years of age; (2) Have had a small subcortical stroke within the past 3 months
(1) study medication; (2) blood pressure pills, as needed; (3) clinic visits
