Treatment With Cilostazol Improves Endothelial Function in Patients With Ischemic Stroke Taking Clopidogrel

Background: Impairment of endothelial function is associated with atherosclerosis. Cilostazol is an antiplatelet drug that inhibits phosphodiesterase III, and has the potential to improve endothelial function. The prospective, open-label, randomized trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy involving cilostazol for secondary ischemic stroke prevention is ongoing (The Cilostazol Stroke Prevention Study for Antiplatelet Combination; CSPS.com) (Int J Stroke Vol 10, Feb 2015, 253). Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of cilostazol in addition to clopidogrel on endothelial function in patients with ischemic stroke. Material and Methods: This study was a sub-study of CSPS.com, and registered in clinical trial (UMIN 000026672). The subjects were enrolled in our hospital from ischemic stroke patients taking clopidogrel after 8-180 days. They were randomly assigned into two groups, one with adding cilostazol on clopidogrel (CIL group), and other without cilos...