Randomized clinical stroke trials in 2004.

Randomized clinical stroke trials published during 2004 dealt primarily with prevention of strokes by reducing risk factors. The usefulness of innovative versions of widely known treatment modalities was documented. These included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors against hypertension, acarabose against diabetes, and the antiplatelet agent triflusal instead of aspirin. A large British study confirmed the value of treatment with simvastatin. Appropriately powered studies found no benefit for stroke prevention of either vitamin treatment to lower homocysteine or hormonal replacement in post-menopausal women. The circumstances under which antithrombotic, anticoagulant and surgical treatments of acute ischemic stroke are appropriate were further specified.