ABSTRACT
Many prospective studies as well as several meta-analyses have shown that aspirin (ASA) is one of the key drugs for secondary stroke prevention. After a brief review of its mechanism of action and pharmacokinetics, this chapter will focus on the efficacy and safety of ASA in secondary stroke prevention, with special emphasis on the choice of optimal dose. The place of ASA in primary stroke prevention as well as in atrial fibrillation will also be discussed. ASA in acute stroke treatments as well as the comparison of efficacy and safety between ASA (either alone or with other agents) and other antithrombotic agents are dealt with in other chapters.
