title: Management and outcome of transient ischemic attacks in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Approximately 240,000 transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) are diagnosed every year in U.S.A. Recent studies have shown that 4-20% will have a stroke within 90 days after a TIA, half in 2 days.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine morbidity and assess outcome at 72 hours of patients with TIA's arriving at the Emergency Room (ER) of San Lucas Hospital, Ponce, PR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of all patients evaluated at ER in 2006 with neurological symptoms for < 24 hours, and outcome for next 72 hrs were reviewed. Anticoagulation given and timeframe between initial symptoms and diagnostic neurologic workup was also recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  53/182 records reviewed met inclusion criteria. 45% males, 55% females, median age of 62 years (Range 53-90). All received antithrombotic drugs at ER. Head-CT performed upon arrival in 100%, only 57% of Echocardiograms and Carotid-Doppler done in 24 hrs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No patients developed stroke or death related to TIA in 72 hours.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Healthcare Center, Geriatrics and Extended Care, San Juan, PR.
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geil
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: González-Concepción
authors.forename: Ivonne Z
authors.initials: IZ
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Velázquez
authors.forename: Biomaris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Xiomara
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Velazco
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome