[Comparative study of ASA and heparan sulfate in the secondary prevention of cerebrovascular disorders].

Aim of our study was to compare heparan sulphate and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in the secondary prevention of cerebrovascular events. Eighty patients with recent episodes of RIA or minor stroke of atherothrombotic origin were randomized in two groups of 40, one treated with heparan sulphate and the other with ASA. The two groups were homogeneous for age, sex, clinical history and type of events qualifying for enrollment. After a 6-month follow-up no difference was found in fatal or non fatal vascular events. The incidence of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the heparan sulphate group. All the patients showed a trend towards improvement in cognitive functioning, but a significant improvement in attentional functions was observed only in the heparan sulphate group. As hypothesis, it may be supposed that such clinical results depend on a better perfusion of inner watershed cerebral areas.