Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Secondary Prevention of Small Subcortical Strokes (SPS3) Trial
Brief Summary: The goal of this study is to learn if combination antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) is more effective than aspirin alone for the prevention of recurrent stroke and cognitive decline, and if intensive blood pressure control is associated with fewer recurrent strokes and cognitive decline.

On July 21, 2011 the DSMB recommended terminating the anti platelet arm of the study due to an imbalance of overall and major non-CNS hemorrhagic SAE's and total deaths in the investigational anti platelet combination of aspirin + clopidogrel and an interim statistical analysis that demonstrated futility in the investigational anti platelet arm. It was recommended that patients be continued on standard care of aspirin mono therapy until their study close-out visit. Also, recommended the continuation and completion of the plood pressure arm following the protocol.


Options:
A: INCLUSION:

Small subcortical ischemic stroke or subcortical TIA.

Inclusion criteria are based on TOAST criteria supplemented by required MRI data. All of the following criteria must be met:

* One of the lacunar stroke clinical syndromes (adapted from Fisher) lasting \> 24 hrs within the past 6 months
* Absence of signs or symptoms of cortical dysfunction such as aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, agraphia, homonymous visual field defect, etc.
* No ipsilateral cervical carotid stenosis (≥50%) by a reliable imaging modality done in an approved laboratory since the qualifying small subcortical stroke (S3), if hemispheric.
* No major-risk cardioembolic sources requiring anticoagulation or other specific therapy. Minor-risk cardioembolic sources will be permitted if anticoagulation is not prescribed by the patient's primary care physician.
* Subcortical TIA with corresponding lesion on DWI.
* MRI evidence of S3: a. Presence of an S3 (1.5 and 2 cm in diameter corresponding to the qualifying event on DWI; when TIA, ADC image must confirm lesion or T2/FLAIR (hyperintense lesions) (required for all brainstem events) OR multiple S3s on FLAIR/TI(\<1.5 cm in diameter) (hypointense lesions) b. Absence of cortical stroke and large subcortical stroke (recent or remote).

EXCLUSION:

To be eligible for entry into the study, the patient must not meet any of the criteria listed below:

* Disabling stroke (Modified Rankin Scale less than or equal to 4)
* Previous intracranial hemorrhage (excluding traumatic) or hemorrhagic stroke
* Age under 30 years
* High risk of bleeding (e.g. recurrent GI or GU bleeding, active peptic ulcer disease, etc)
* Anticipated requirement for long-term use of anticoagulants (e.g. recurrent DVT) or other antiplatelets
* Prior cortical stroke (diagnosed either clinically or by neuroimaging), or prior cortical or retinal TIA
* Prior ipsilateral carotid endarterectomy
* Impaired renal function: GFR \<40
* Intolerance or contraindications to aspirin or clopidogrel (including thrombocytopenia, prolonged INR)
* A score \< 24 (adjusted for age and education) on the Folstein Mini Mental Status Examination
* Medical contraindication to MRI
* Pregnancy or women of child-bearing potential who are not following an effective method of contraception
* Geographic or social factors making study participation impractical
* Unable or unwilling to provide informed consent
* Unlikely to be compliant with therapy/unwilling to return for frequent clinic visits
* Patients concurrently participating in another study with an investigational drug or device
* Other likely specific cause of stroke (e.g. dissection, vasculitis, prothrombotic diathesis, drug abuse)
B: Inclusion criteria:

* Adult subjects (male or female≥40 years)
* Acute non-disabling ischemic stroke (NIHSS≤3 at the time of randomization) that can be treated with study drug within 24 hours of symptoms onset. Symptom onset is defined by the "last see normal" principle
* TIA (Neurological deficit attributed to focal brain ischemia, with resolution of the deficit within 24 hours of symptom onset), that can be treated with study drug within 24 hours of symptoms onset and with moderate-to-high risk of stroke recurrence (ABCD2 score≥4 at the time of randomization).Symptom onset is defined by the "last see normal" principle
* Informed consent signed

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosis of hemorrhage or other pathology, such as vascular malformation, tumor, abscess or other major non-ischemic brain disease (e.g., multiple sclerosis) on baseline head CT or MRI
* Isolated or pure sensory symptoms (e.g., numbness), isolated visual changes, or isolated dizziness/vertigo without evidence of acute infarction on baseline head CT or MRI
* Modified Rankin Scale Score\>2 at randomization (pre-morbid historical assessment)
* NIH Stroke Score≥4 at randomization
* Clear indication for anticoagulation(presumed cardiac source of embolus, e.g., atrial fibrillation, prosthetic cardiac valves known or suspected endocarditis)
* Contraindication to clopidogrel or ASA
* Known allergy
* Severe renal or hepatic insufficiency
* Severe cardiac failure, asthma
* Hemostatic disorder or systemic bleeding
* History of hemostatic disorder or systemic bleeding
* History of thrombocytopenia or neutropenia
* History of drug-induced hematologic or hepatic abnormalities
* Low white blood cell (\<2 x109/l) or platelet count (\<100 x109/l)
* Use of thrombolysis within 24 hours prior to randomization
* History of intracranial hemorrhage
* Anticipated requirement for long-term non-study antiplatelet drugs, or NSAIDs affecting platelet function
* Current treatment (last dose given within 10 days before randomization) with heparin therapy or oral anti coagulation
* Gastrointestinal bleed or major surgery within 3 months
* Planned or likely revascularization (any angioplasty or vascular surgery) within the next 3 months (if clinically indicated, vascular imaging should be performed prior to randomization whenever possible)
* Scheduled for surgery or interventional treatment requiring study drug cessation
* Qualifying TIA or minor stroke induced by angiography or surgery
* Severe non-cardiovascular comorbidity with life expectancy \< 3 months
* Women of childbearing age not practicing reliable contraception who do not have a documented negative pregnancy test
* Currently receiving an investigational drug or device
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* Men or women equal or elder 40 years of age
* Either acute ischaemic stroke or high-risk TIA as defined here and randomisation occurring within 24 hours after onset of symptoms

Key Exclusion Criteria:

* Planned use of antithrombotic therapy in addition to study medication including antiplatelets (eg, open label ASA, GPIIb/IIIa inhibitors, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, prasugrel, dipyridamole, ozagrel, cilostazol) and anticoagulants (eg, warfarin, oral thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors, bivalirudin, hirudin, argatroban, unfractionated and low molecular weight heparins). - Any history of atrial fibrillation, ventricular aneurysm or suspicion of cardioembolic pathology for TIA or stroke. - Planned carotid, cerebrovascular, or coronary revascularisation that requires halting study medication within 7 days of randomisation. - Receipt of any intravenous or intra-arterial thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy within 24 hours prior to randomisation - History of previous symptomatic non-traumatic intracerebral bleed at any time (asymptomatic microbleeds do not qualify), gastrointestinal (GI) bleed within the past 6 months, or major surgery within 30 days.
D: Postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79.

Answer: A