title: [Transient loss of consciousness in ischaemic cerebral events. A study of 557 ischaemic strokes and transient ischaemic attacks (author's transl)].
abstract: A study was done of 31 episodes of transient loss of consciousness occurring at the onset of 557 cerebral ischaemic events selected on the basis of a well known mode of onset, excluding prolonged comas. The following conclusions can be drawn: Transient loss of consciousness is uncommon in ischaemic strokes (6.5 p. cent), occurring twice as often in cardiac emboli (13.2 p. cent) as in a atherothrombotic brain infarction (6.2 p. cent), and more often in carotid (8.4 p. cent) than in vertebro-basilar (5.7 p. cent) territory. The incidence is however similar in both territories (4.6 p. cent and 4.8 p. cent) when epilepsy is excluded. Epilepsy accounts for nearly half (3.8 p. 100) of all losses of consciousness in hemispheric strokes, but was encountered neither in lacunar strokes nor in transient ischaemic attacks (T.I.A.). Transient loss of consciousness is uncommon in basilar TIAs, and extremely rare in lacunar strokes (1.5 p. 100) and in carotid TIAs (0 p. 100). Presumed mechanisms and practical implications are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000150:complications; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology*; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000150:complications
vernacular_title: Pertes de connaissance brèves au cours des accidents ischémiques cérébraux. Etude de 557 accidents.