title: Low risk of vascular events following urgent treatment of transient ischaemic attack: the Aarhus TIA study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patients with TIA have a high short-time risk of stroke and an increased long-term risk of ischaemic vascular events compared with the general population. Urgent intervention may reduce short-time stroke risk, but little is known about the effect beyond 3 months. We examined 1-year outcome and risk factor management in patients with TIA after urgent intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with TIA referred to Aarhus University Hospital 1 March 2007-28 February 2008 were seen by an acute TIA team (ATT), integrating outpatient care and stroke unit facilities. Preventive treatment was initiated immediately, including fast-track surgery for carotid stenosis. Follow-up including nurse-conducted health counseling was carried out after 7, 90, and 365 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 306 patients were included. Stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death occurred in 5.2% during 1 year of follow-up. The cumulated stroke rate was 1.6%, 2.0%, and 4.4% after 7, 90, and 365 days, respectively, compared to expected 4.5% [relative risk (RR) 0.36, 95% CI 0.13-0.98] and 7.5% (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11-0.63) after 7 and 90 days using ABCD(2) criteria. Recurrent TIA occurred in 10.2% (n = 32). Secondary prevention targets were attained in 47.6% after 1 year. Carotid surgery was performed in 8.1%; median time to operation was 11 days after contact with the ATT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urgent intervention after TIA by an ATT covering outpatient and stroke unit facilities combined with nurse-conducted health counseling is associated with a low 1-year risk of new vascular events and may improve risk factor control.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Aarhus Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. paulvonw@rm.dk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: von Weitzel-Mudersbach
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity / Q000639:trends; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult