Author/Authors :
Khan, Maria Aga Khan University Hospital - Fellow International Cerebrovascular Translational Clinical Research Training Program, Stroke Service, Pakistan , Raza, Emmon Aga Khan University Hospital - Medical College, Pakistan , Kamal, Ayeesha Kamran Aga Khan University Hospital - Stroke Service and Vascular Fellowship Program, Pakistan
Abstract :
Why is this study important? A person who has had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack has a higher risk of experiencing similar major vascular events in the future. This risk remains high despite aggressive medical and surgical management. An elevated homocysteine level in plasma is a known risk factor for major vascular events and it is well established that daily long-term supplementation with Vitamin B12 and Folic acid lowers these levels by a significant proportion. The VITATOPS trial was undertaken to test whether this reduction in homocysteine with vitamin supplementation translates into actual reduction in recurrent vascular events in patients with recent stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic) or TIA.
