MedLink Neurology Podcast is delighted to feature selected episodes from BrainWaves, courtesy of James E Siegler MD, its originator and host. BrainWaves is an academic audio podcast whose mission is to educate medical providers through clinical cases and topical reviews in neurology, medicine, and the humanities, and episodes originally aired from 2016 to 2021. Originally released: Jan 18, 2018 When it comes to stroke, treatment is dependent on the stroke mechanism. But most patients wind up on aspirin anyway. Or Plavix (clopidogrel). And sometimes both. The question this week is, Why? I hope you're hungry for some fruit because we're comparing a bunch of apples to oranges in this episode of the BrainWaves podcast. Produced by James E Siegler. Music by William Ross Chernoff's Nomads, Steve Combs, Rui, Little Glass Men, and Peter Rudenko. Voiceover by Erika Mejia. BrainWaves' podcasts and online content are intended for medical education only and should not be used for routine clinical decision-making. Even if this episode is all about choosing aspirin or clopidogrel when you're treating stroke patients. Always talk with your doctor, and if you are a doctor, you should rely on institutional policies and your own clinical judgment when treating patients. REFERENCES Antithrombotic Trialists' Collaboration. Collaborative meta-analysis of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high risk patients. BMJ 2002;324(7329):71-86. Erratum in: BMJ 2002;324(7330):141. PMID 11786451 Bhatt DL, Fox KA, Hacke W, et al. Clopidogrel and aspirin versus aspirin alone for the prevention of atherothrombotic events. N Engl J Med 2006;354(16):1706-17. PMID 16531616 CAST: randomised placebo-controlled trial of early aspirin use in 20,000 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. CAST (Chinese Acute Stroke Trial) Collaborative Group. Lancet 1997;349(9066):1641-9. PMID 9186381 Collaborative overview of randomised trials of antiplatelet therapy--I: Prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke by prolonged antiplatelet therapy in various categories of patients. Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration. BMJ 1994;308(6921):81-106. Erratum in: BMJ 1994;308(6943):1540. PMID 8298418 CAPRIE Steering Committee. A randomised, blinded, trial of clopidogrel versus aspirin in patients at risk of ischaemic events (CAPRIE). CAPRIE Steering Committee. Lancet 1996;348(9038):1329-39. PMID 8918275 Diener HC, Bogousslavsky J, Brass LM, et al. Aspirin and clopidogrel compared with clopidogrel alone after recent ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack in high-risk patients (MATCH): randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2004;364(9431):331-7. PMID 15276392 Hong KS, Lee SH, Kim EG, et al. Recurrent ischemic lesions after acute atherothrombotic stroke: clopidogrel plus aspirin versus aspirin alone. Stroke 2016;47(9):2323-30. PMID 27418597 Jauch EC, Saver JL, Adams HP Jr, et al. Guidelines for the early management of patients with acute ischemic stroke: a guideline for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke 2013;44(3):870-947. PMID 23370205 Kennedy J, Hill MD, Ryckborst KJ, et al. Fast assessment of stroke and transient ischaemic attack to prevent early recurrence (FASTER): a randomised controlled pilot trial. Lancet Neurol 2007;6(11):961-9.