Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: Patients with TIA are at increased risk of ischemic stroke and require preventive treatment. However, clinical guidelines differ on how urgently patients should be assessed. OBJECTIVE: To determine the potential consequences of delays in investigation and treatment, the authors studied the timing of TIAs preceding ischemic stroke. METHODS: The authors studied patients who presented with a recent ischemic stroke and had a preceding TIA in two population-based studies (Oxford Vascular Study [OXVASC]; Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project [OCSP]) and two randomized trials (UK TIA Aspirin Trial [UK-TIA]; European Carotid Surgery Trial [ECST]). RESULTS: Of 2,416 patients who had presented with an ischemic stroke, 549 (23%) gave a history of a preceding TIA (18% in OXVASC, 15% in OCSP, 23% in UK-TIA, 26% in ECST). Where a preceding TIA had occurred, the timing was highly consistent across the studies, with 17% occurring on the day of the stroke, 9% on the previous day, and 43% at some point during the 7 days prior to the stroke. No clinical characteristics or vascular risk factors identified patients in whom there was a close temporal association between TIA and stroke. CONCLUSION: In patients presenting with ischemic stroke, TIAs occur most often during the hours and days immediately preceding the stroke.

Original publication

DOI

10.1212/01.WNL.0000152985.32732.EE

Type

Journal article

Journal

Neurology

Publication Date

08/03/2005

Volume

64

Pages

817 - 820

Keywords

Causality, Cohort Studies, Disease Progression, Early Diagnosis, Emergency Medicine, Female, Humans, Ischemic Attack, Transient, Male, Stroke, Time Factors, Treatment Outcome, United Kingdom