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A comparative study of the prevention of recurrences of cerebral transient ischemic attacks during a 6-month observation period was conducted in 73 patients treated with a combination of acetylsalicylic acid and dipyridamole (ASAD, 1,050 mg + 150 mg/day) and in 65 patients treated with pentoxifylline (PTX 1,200 mg/day, Trental® 400 t.d.s). The patients were randomly assigned to the treatments. Risk factor analysis showed high prevalence of arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia and smoking in these patients. The two groups were matched in terms of age, sex, blood pressure and site of TIA origin (carotid 63% in the ASAD, 65% in the PTX group). 23 ASAD patients and 9 PTX patients suffered a recurrence. There were 4 nonfatal stroke events with ASAD and 2 with PTX. 80 recurrent TIAs were recorded in 19 ASAD patients compared with 19 such episodes in 9 PTX subjects. The morbidity rates (life table analysis) were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the PTX group. The results of the study point to a preventive effect of PTX in terms of the reduction in TIA recurrences.

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A descriptive trial of essential tremor in Buenos Aires city is proposed. It may be considered as the first one like this in Latin America. During a 15 year period, sixteen families with essential tremor diagnosis have been examined, making a total of 39 patients (20 males and 19 females). The disease was basically studied from its semiological, clinico-evolutive and therapeutical view point, following a protocol. Our results indicate -- a. The clinico-evolutive characteristics: its frequency (according to race, sex, social status, age of beginning and physiopathological type), morbidity and mortality, evolution, prognosis, triggering factors, longevity and multiparity. b. The different treatment given to our patients with discussion of their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic basis and evaluation of the best responses. In this matter, it is concluded that both primidone (750 mg/daily) and/or propranolol (160-240 mg/daily) are undeniably the drugs of first choice for the treatment of this disease. A comparison of the clinico-therapeutic features of this tremor in Buenos Aires and other cities is done. The study of this syndrome in Buenos Aires does not give different results from those obtained in Europe and USA.