| Methods |
Single centre
Patient and measurement‐blinded
Randomised controlled trial
Randomisation by computer (with minimisation on age, sex, baseline SBP, baseline Scandinavian Stroke Score, hours from onset, presence of a visible stroke lesion on CT)
FU: no losses
ITT analysis |
| Participants |
UK
18 patients: T: 12, C: 6
Age: T: 69 years, C: 70.3 years
Male: T: 2, C: 3
Inclusion: previously independent adult patients with a clinical stroke syndrome and limb weakness
100% CT
Enrolment: within 5 days of ictus
Prior antihypertensive medication was discontinued at the time of admission |
| Interventions |
T: transdermal glyceryl trinitrate 5 mg (Transiderm‐Nitro5, Novartis Pharmaceuticals) once daily
C: no patch
Rx: 7 days |
| Outcomes |
BP was measured immediately before the baseline xenon CT scan and immediately after the post‐treatment scan
Peripheral SBP and DBP was measured in the non‐hemiparetic arm with a validated digital readout oscillometric device (Omron HEM‐705CP, Omron Corp, Tokyo, Japan)
Central BP was assessed by applanation tonometry of the left radial artery and using the pulse wave analysis (PWA) system (Sphygmocor, Sydney, Australia) |
| Notes |
Ex: requirement for or contraindication to nitrate therapy, had a definite need for prior antihypertensive therapy or vasoactive drugs, co‐operate with scanning |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Adequate sequence generation? |
Low risk |
Randomly assigned using computerised minimisation |
| Allocation concealment? |
Low risk |
Probably done |
| Blinding? |
High risk |
Patient and measurement‐blinded |
| Completeness of follow‐up |
Low risk |
No loss of follow up |
