title: Baseline characteristics of the 4011 patients recruited into the ‘Efficacy of Nitric  Oxide in Stroke’ (ENOS) trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High blood pressure is common in acute stroke and associated with a worse functional outcome. Many patients who present with acute stroke are taking prescribed antihypertensive therapy before their stroke.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  ENOS tested whether lowering blood pressure and continuing pre-stroke antihypertensive therapy are each safe and effective.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is an international multi-centre prospective randomized single-blind blinded-endpoint parallel-group partial-factorial controlled trial of transdermal glyceryl trinitrate(a nitric oxide donor, given for seven-days) vs. no glyceryl trinitrate, and of continuing vs. stopping (temporarily for seven-days) pre-stroke antihypertensive drugs if relevant, inpatients with acute ischaemic stroke or intracerebral haemorrhage and high systolic blood pressure (140–220 mmHg).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recruitment ran from July 2001 to October 2013. Four thousand eleven patients [2097 (52·3%) in the continue/stop arm] were recruited from 173 sites across 23 countries in 5 continents (Asia 14%, Continental Europe 16%, UK 64%). Baseline characteristics include: mean age 70 (standard deviation 12) years; male 57%; mean time from stroke to recruitment 26 (13) h; mean severity (Scandinavian Stroke Scale) 34(13) of 58; mean blood pressure 167 (19)/90 (13) mmHg; ischaemic stroke 83%; and intracerebral haemorrhage 16%. The main trial results will be presented in May 2014. The results will also be presented in updated Cochrane systematic reviews and included in individual patient data meta-analyses of all relevant randomized controlled trials.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ENOS is a large completed international trial of blood pressure management in acute stroke and includes patients representative of many stroke services worldwide.
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D005996:Nitroglycerin