[Increased risk of stroke after TIA. New data support the need of urgent management].
The prognosis after TIA may be more serious than previously thought. Recent studies suggest that the risk of subsequent stroke after a TIA may be 5% within the first two days after a TIA, which emphasizes the need for urgent management and institution of therapy. A correct diagnosis is essential, but sometimes difficult because many conditions mimic TIA symptoms. Routine diagnostic procedures include a careful patient history, neurological examination, EKG, CT scan of the brain, and in selected cases carotid and cardiac ultrasound examinations. A recent survey of clinical management after TIA indicates that these investigations are sometimes delayed, particularly in non-hospitalized patients. Patients with a new TIA should immediately be referred to hospital, and ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries (when indicated) should be performed within one week (preferably even earlier) after the TIA onset.
Lindgren
Arne
A
Neurologiska kliniken, Universitetssjukhuset i Lund. arne.lindgren@neurol.lu.se
Norrving
Bo
B
Thörnqvist
Måns
M
D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014463:Ultrasonography