Randomised trial of pentoxifylline versus acetylsalicylic acid plus dipyridamole in preventing transient ischaemic attacks

Abstract

In a multicentre trial to compare the ability of a combination of acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole (1050 mg + 150 mg/day, group A) to prevent recurrence of transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) with that of pentoxifylline (1200 mg/day, group B), 36 patients received the combination and 30 pentoxifylline. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups as regards age, sex, blood pressure, site of origin of TIA, and incidence of other risk factors. The incidence of recurrent TIAs during 1 year of follow-up was 28% in group A and 10% in group B; this difference was significant (p less than 0.05). The incidence of permanent strokes was similar in the two groups but distinctly lower (4.5%) than that usually reported after untreated TIA.