COMPARISON OF ANTI-PLATELETS VERSUS ANTI-COAGULANTS IN PATIENTS WITH CRYPTOGENIC STROKE IN PREVENTION OF RECURRENT STROKE AND TIA

Objective: To compare the efficacy of anti-platelets and anti-coagulants in patients with cryptogenic stroke in prevention of recurrent stroke and TIA.Study Design: Cross-sectional comparative study.Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Combined Military Hospital Quetta, from Jan 2017 to Dec 2017.Material and Materials: Total of 30 patients with cryptogenic stroke fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in study, 22 were males and 08 females. They were divided into two groups with 15 patients in each. Group A was treated with anti-platelets and group В with anti-coagulants.1.5 tesla MRI was used to assess the results of the two therapies.Results: About 46.67% (n=7) in group A and 6.67% (n=l) in group B had repeated ischemic stroke (p-vlaue=0.01). 40% (n=6) in group A and 13.33% (n=2) in group B had TIA like episodes at one year (p-vlaue=0.02).Conclusion: Anti-coagulants were more effective in secondary stroke prevention in cryptogenic stroke as compared to anti-platelets at one year, provided no contraindications were present to either.