Dual Anti-Platelet Therapy

Stroke Canada Guideline

https://www.strokebestpractices.ca/recommendations/secondary-prevention-of-stroke/anti-platelet-therapy-in-ischemic-stroke-and-tia

Clinical Scenario Antiplatelet Regimen Loading Dose (Day 0) Maintenance Dose Duration of DAPT What Comes Next Evidence Level
Acute high-risk TIA or minor ischemic stroke (non-cardioembolic, NIHSS 0–3, low bleeding risk) Clopidogrel + ASA Clopidogrel 300–600 mg once + ASA 160–325 mg once Clopidogrel 75 mg daily + ASA 81 mg daily 21 days only Antiplatelet monotherapy indefinitely (ASA or clopidogrel) A
Beyond 21 days after TIA/minor stroke (no special indication) DAPT not recommended Do NOT continue DAPT Continue single antiplatelet B
Alternative short-term DAPT option (selected patients, low bleed risk) Ticagrelor + ASA Ticagrelor 180 mg once + ASA 160–325 mg once Ticagrelor 90 mg BID + ASA 81 mg daily 30 days Antiplatelet monotherapy thereafter B
Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis 70–99% (recent TIA/stroke, low bleed risk) SAMMPRIS protocol: Clopidogrel + ASA Standard ASA + clopidogrel loading Clopidogrel 75 mg daily + ASA 81–325 mg daily 90 days (3 months) Antiplatelet monotherapy + high-intensity statin, aggressive BP control, lifestyle modification B