Echocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and clinical correlates of recurrent transient ischemic attacks: a follow-up study.
BACKGROUND
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is presumed to be of cardiovascular origin. The aim of the study was to evaluate the electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical signs for predicting TIA recurrence.


METHODS
A total of 100 consecutive patients presenting with a first episode of TIA without atrial fibrillation, previous stroke, and uncontrolled diabetes or hypertension were enrolled in the study. The electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and clinical parameters were obtained in those patients. The patients received a follow-up of bimonthly visits and were grouped according to the presence (or lack) of TIA recurrence in the follow-up period.


RESULTS
Of these patients, 23 experienced recurrent TIA and 72 did not; 5 patients dropped out. Independent risk factors evaluated for TIA recurrence were aortic diameter, left atrial diameter, P-wave dispersion, hyperlipidemia, absence of lipid lowering, and warfarin treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evaluation of patients with TIA may help assess the outcome of patients and guide therapeutic interventions.
Koz
Cem
C
Department of Cardiology, Gulhane Military Medical School, Ankara, Turkey. cemxkoz@gmail.com
Uzun
Mehmet
M
Yokusoglu
Mehmet
M
Ulas
Umit Hidir
UH
Baysan
Oben
O
Genc
Celal
C
Cansel
Mehmet
M
Isik
Ersoy
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012008:Recurrence
D015415:Biomarkers