Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Multi-center, Prospective, Randomized, Open-label Study With Blinded Outcome Evaluation to Evaluate the Effects of Systolic Blood Pressure Lowering to Different Targets (Less Than 130 mmHg vs. Less Than 140 mmHg) on Diastolic Function Using Valsartan + Amlodipine in Patients With Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction
Brief Summary: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of treatment with valsartan + amlodipine to a target systolic blood pressure (SBP)\<130 mmHg compared to the Joint National Commission on the Treatment of Hypertension 7 recommended target SBP of \<140 mmHg on the intrinsic diastolic properties of the myocardium in patients with hypertension and echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 45 years or older
* Male and female patients are eligible. Female patients must be post-menopausal for one year, surgically sterile, or using effective contraceptive methods such as a double barrier method with spermicide, an intra-uterine device, or hormonal contraceptives. Post-menopausal women on a stable dose of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for at least three (3) months prior to the screening visit are eligible for the study.
* Uncontrolled systolic hypertension on a maximum of two (2) antihypertensive medications at the time of screening.
* Echocardiographic ejection fraction ≥50% and evidence of diastolic dysfunction.
* Provide written informed consent to participate in the study prior to any screening or study procedures
* Have the ability to communicate well and comply with all study requirements

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe hypertension defined as a MSSBP \>200 mmHg and/or MSDBP \>120 mmHg.
* History of a secondary cause of hypertension including but not limited to: coarctation of the aorta, hyperaldosteronism, unilateral or bilateral renal artery stenosis, Cushing's disease, pheochromocytoma, polycystic kidney disease, etc.
* Ejection fraction \<50 %
* History of stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or unstable angina pectoris within 6 months of screening
* Presence of clinically significant ventricular or supraventricular arrhythmias (e.g. atrial fibrillation/flutter)
* History of congestive heart failure
* History of diabetes mellitus
* History of renal impairment with serum creatinine \>2.0 mg/dL at screening, history of dialysis, or history of nephritic syndrome
* Antihypertensive therapy with three (3) or more medications at the time of screening
* Active and/or treated malignancy of any organ system within twelve (12) months of enrollment, with the exception of localized basal cell carcinoma of the skin
* Pregnant or nursing (lactating) women, where pregnancy is defined as the state of a female after conception and until the termination of gestation, confirmed by a positive hCG laboratory test (\>5 mIU/ml)
* Women of child-bearing potential (WOCBP), defined as all women physiologically capable of becoming pregnant, including women whose career, lifestyle, or sexual orientation precludes intercourse with a male partner and women whose partners have been sterilized by vasectomy or other means, UNLESS they meet the following definition of post-menopausal: 12 months of natural (spontaneous) amenorrhea or 6 months of spontaneous amenorrhea with serum FSH levels \>40 mIU/m or 6 weeks post surgical bilateral oophorectomy with or without hysterectomy OR are using one or more of the following acceptable methods of contraception: barrier method with spermicidal agent, an intrauterine device, hormonal contraceptives, or total abstinence at the discretion of the investigator in cases where the age, career, lifestyle, or sexual orientation of the patient ensures compliance. Periodic abstinence (e.g., calendar, ovulation, symptothermal, post-ovulation methods) and withdrawal are not acceptable methods of contraception. Reliable contraception should be maintained throughout the study
* Any surgical or medical condition which might significantly alter the absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion of any drug including, but not limited to, any of the following: history of major gastrointestinal tract surgery such as gastrectomy, gastroenterostomy, bowel resection, gastric bypass, gastric stapling, or gastric banding, currently active, or active inflammatory bowel syndrome within 12 months prior to Visit 1, currently active gastritis, ulcers, or gastrointestinal/rectal bleeding, or urinary tract obstruction regarded as clinically meaningful by the investigator
* Pancreatic injury, pancreatitis or evidence of impaired pancreatic function/injury within 12 months prior to Visit 1
* Any serum AST or ALT elevation two (2) times the upper limit of normal

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria may apply
B: 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)
C: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Pre-existing or gestational hypertension (pre-existing hypertension is dBP greater than or equal to 90 mmHg before pregnancy or 20 weeks' gestation; gestational hypertension is dBP greater than or equal to 90 mmHg that develops after 20 weeks)
2. dBP of 90 - 105 mmHg if NOT TAKING antihypertensive therapy, or dBP of 85 - 105 mmHg if TAKING antihypertensive therapy
3. Live foetus (confirmed by Doptone assessment of foetal heart tones within one week before randomisation)
4. Gestational age 14 - 33+6 weeks (as measured by last menstrual period or dating ultrasound)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Severe systolic hypertension (defined as a systolic blood pressure \[sBP\] greater than or equal to 160 mmHg at randomisation)
2. Proteinuria (defined as greater than or equal to 0.3 g/d by 24 hour urine collection, or if a 24 hour urine collection is not available, by a urinary protein:creatinine ratio of greater than or equal to 30 mg/mmol or urinary dipstick of greater than or equal to 2+)
3. Use of an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor at greater than or equal to 14+0 weeks' gestation
4. Contraindication to either arm of the trial or to pregnancy prolongation
5. Known multiple gestation
6. Known lethal or major foetal anomaly
7. Plan to terminate pregnancy
8. Prior participation in CHIPS
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Outpatients aged over 70 years and less than 85 years, regardless of sex.
* Patients with stable seated systolic blood pressure of over 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of less than 90 mmHg at two visits within 2 to 4 weeks.
* Previously untreated patients or patients who are on other therapy that can be converted to valsartan.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with secondary hypertension or malignant hypertension.
* Patients with seated systolic blood pressure of over 200 mmHg.
* Patients with seated diastolic blood pressure of over 90 mmHg.
* Patients with a history of cerebrovascular disorder or myocardial infarction within 6 months prior to enrolment in the study.
* Patients who underwent coronary arterioplasty within 6 months prior to enrolment in the study or patients who will undergo coronary arterioplasty within 6 months after entry.
* Patients with severe heart failure (NYHA functional classification III and IV).
* Patients with severe aortic stenosis or valvular disease.
* Patients with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or serious arrhythmia.
* Patients with renal dysfunction with serum creatinine level of over 2 mg/dL.
* Patients with serious liver dysfunction.
* Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to valsartan.
* Other patients who are judged to be inappropriate for the study by the investigator or sub-investigator.

Answer: A