Intensive antiplatelet therapy with three agents does not reduce risk of another stroke

Abstract

Commentary on: Bath PM, Woodhouse LJ, Appleton JP, et al . Antiplatelet therapy with aspirin, clopidogrel, and dipyridamole versus clopidogrel alone or aspirin and dipyridamole in patients with acute cerebral ischaemia (TARDIS): a randomised, open-label, phase 3 superiority trial. Lancet 2018;391:850–9.\n\nCommentary by: Dr James Kimpton and Dr Teck Khong Clinical Pharmacology, St George s, University of London, UK\n\nSeries Editor: Dr Teck Khong, DTB Associate Editor Clinical Pharmacology, St George s, University of London, UK\n\n### Key learning points\n\nThe Triple Antiplatelets for Reducing Dependency after Ischaemic Stroke (TARDIS) trial showed that among patients with acute, non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), intensive antiplatelet therapy with three drugs did not reduce the risk and severity of recurrent stroke or TIA, but did increase the risk of major bleeding when compared with guideline-directed antiplatelet therapy.1 \n\nTARDIS was an international, multicentre, prospective, randomised, open-label, blinded end-point, parallel-group superiority clinical trial that …