A study by scientists from McMaster University in Canada has shown that the new experimental drug Asundexian reduces the risk of recurrent stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding.
The study trials included more than 12,000 people from 37 countries who had suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), and some participants received the new drug, while others received other antiplatelet drugs that are commonly used to prevent recurrent strokes.
The researchers found that those who took asondexian had a 6.2% lower incidence of recurrent stroke compared to 8.4% in the other group, meaning their risk was reduced by 26%. The risk of serious cardiovascular diseases, including heart attack and death, was also reduced, without any observed increase in bleeding.
Scientists attribute this effect to the fact that the drug works differently from current treatments, as it inhibits active factor XIa, a protein involved in the formation of dangerous blood clots, but less important in stopping bleeding. Although the drug has not yet been widely approved and is still in the testing phase, researchers believe it may open the door to safer stroke prevention.
