Rationale, Design and Baseline Data of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Comparing Two Antithrombotic Regimens (a Fixed-Dose Combination of Extended-Release Dipyridamole plus ASA with Clopidogrel) and Telmisartan versus Placebo in Patients with Strokes: The Prevention Regimen for Effectively Avoiding Second Strokes Trial (PRoFESS)

BACKGROUND: Individuals with transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke have a high risk of recurrent stroke and death. While acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, aspirin) is proven and accepted as standard therapy in these patients, recent trials demonstrate that a combination of ASA and dipyridamole (DP) or clopidogrel may be superior to ASA. Blocking the renin-angiotensin system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor …