Antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular prevention: stroke prevention in patients with thrombogenic heart disease

(1) In patients with atrial fibrillation and a moderate embolic risk, aspirin reduces the risk of stroke and has a comparable risk-benefit ratio to oral anticoagulants. (2) Oral anticoagulants are superior to aspirin in patients with atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke. (3) In patients with a mechanical valve prosthesis and a high embolic risk, the oral anticoagulant + aspirin combination has a better risk-benefit ratio than oral anticoagulant alone.