Combination therapy with beraprost sodium and aspirin for acute ischemic stroke: a single-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of beraprost sodium (BPS) and aspirin in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: There were 384 patients with AIS enrolled in this single-center, retrospective study. The BPS group comprised patients who received combination therapy with BPS and aspirin, and the control group comprised those who received only aspirin. Primary measurements were glomerular filtration rate (GFR), cystatin-c (Cys-C), National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified activities of daily living index (MBI), modified Rankin scale (mRS), and blood coagulation indexes. Recurrence and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in patient characteristics at baseline between the two groups. GFR and Cys-C levels increased in the BPS group compared with the control group. After treatment, the NIHSS and mRS score were significantly lower in the BPS group compared with the control group, whereas the MBI scores were significantly higher in the BPS group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference in blood coagulation between the two groups. There were no serious adverse events in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Combination therapy with BPS and aspirin may be a safe and effective treatment for AIS.