OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor plus aspirin in patients with
moderate ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 4 to 5).
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The THALES trial was a randomized trial
conducted at 414 hospitals in 28 countries in January 2018 and December 2019. This
exploratory analysis compared patients with moderate stroke (baseline NIHSS score of 4 to
5) with patients with less severe stroke (NIHSS score of 0 to 3). A total of 9983 patients with …

Importance Prior trials of dual antiplatelet therapy excluded patients with moderate ischemic
stroke. These patients were included in the Acute Stroke or Transient Ischaemic Attack
Treated With Ticagrelor and ASA for Prevention of Stroke and Death (THALES) trial, but
results have not been reported separately, raising concerns about safety and efficacy in this
subgroup. Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ticagrelor plus aspirin in patients
with moderate ischemic stroke (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] score of 4 …