Study design
non-cardioembolic TIA, ischaemic stroke, stroke, hemianopia, vertigo, limb weakness, dysphasia, dizziness, cerebral bleeding
ISCHAEMIC STROKE, STROKE, HEMIANOPIA, DYSPHASIA, INTRACRANIAL HAEMORRHAGE, FACIAL WEAKNESS
TARDIS was an international multicentre prospective randomised open-label blinded-endpoint (PROBE) trial conducted in four countries (Denmark, Georgia, New Zealand, UK) at 106 sites. Information on the design, statistical analysis plan and baseline characteristics of the participants have already been publishedAdult patients aged ≥ 50 years were suitable for inclusion if they were at risk of a recurrent ischaemic stroke and had either a non-cardioembolic ischaemic stroke with limb weakness, isolated dysphasia or isolated neuroimaging-positive hemianopia, or a non-cardioembolic TIA with at least 10 min of limb weakness or isolated dysphasia. Participants were randomised within 48 h of the onset of symptoms; if they had received intravenous thrombolysis they could be randomised after 24 h following receiving this treatment and brain imaging had excluded any cerebral bleeding. There was no stroke severity cut-off for inclusion into the trial. Exclusion criteria included: isolated sensory symptoms, facial weakness, vertigo or dizziness; intracranial haemorrhage; non-ischaemic cause for symptoms; definite need for, or contraindication to, aspirin, clopidogrel or dipyridamole; need for anticoagulation; and pre-randomisation dependency. Patients provided written informed consent, or if the patient lacked capacity written informed consent was obtained from a relative, carer or friend. A full listing of the study inclusion and exclusion criteria is available