Current indications for the use of anticoagulant drugs in cerebrovascular disease.

Considerable variation exists in the interplay of the factors influencing the occurrence of strokes and their final outcome. A final statement about the usefulness of anticoagulant drugs in the treatment of cerebrovascular disease must await further study. The current indications for their use include: (1) intermittent insufficiency of the basilar arterial system, (2) intermittent insufficiency of the internal carotid system, (3) thrombosis within the basilar arterial system, (4) recurrent cerebral emboli associated with a likely cardiac source and (5) possibly, recurrent cerebral thromboses.