Precision medicine in secondary prevention of ischemic stroke: how may blood-based biomarkers help in clinical routine? An expert opinion

Purpose of review One in eight patients unfortunately suffers a new stroke within 5 years of their first stroke, even today. Research in precision medicine could lead to a more individualized treatment allocation, possibly achieving lower recurrence rates of ischemic stroke. In this narrative review, we aim to discuss potential clinical implementation of several promising candidate blood biomarkers. Recent findings We discuss specifically some promising blood-based biomarkers, which may improve the identification of underlying causes as well as risk stratification of patients according to their specific cerebrovascular risk factor pattern. Multimodal profiling of ischemic stroke patients by means of blood biomarkers, in addition to established clinical and neuroradiological data, may allow in the future a refinement of decision algorithms for treatment allocation in secondary ischemic stroke prevention.

Automated summary

The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential clinical implementation of promising blood biomarkers in order to achieve a more individualized treatment allocation and lower recurrence rates of ischemic stroke. Recent findings suggest that blood-based biomarkers have the potential to improve the identification of underlying causes as well as risk stratification of patients, leading to a refinement of decision algorithms for treatment allocation in secondary ischemic stroke prevention.