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Hypodensity of the cerebral white matter in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke: influence on the rate of subsequent stroke. Dutch TIA Trial Study Group.

In a prospective study of 3,017 patients with transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke from the Dutch Transient Ischemic Attack Trial, the presence or absence of diffuse hypodensity of the white matter on a baseline computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain was related to the occurrence of subsequent stroke. On entry, 337 patients were judged to have diffuse hypodensity of the white matter on CT; they were older (71.4 +/- 7.4 years versus 64.4 +/- 9.9 years), more often had hypertension (50% versus 41%), and more often had lacunar infarcts on CT scan (40% versus 26%) than did patients with normal white matter. Strokes, fatal or nonfatal, occurred in 51 (15%) of the patients with diffuse hypodensity of the cerebral white matter, compared to 217 (8%) in the group with normal white matter (crude hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-2.7). After adjustment for age and other relevant entry variables, the hazard ratio was 1.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.2). In patients younger than 70 years the crude hazard ratio was 2.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.7-4.2). The distribution between the main subtypes of stroke was similar for patients with and those without diffuse hypodensity of the cerebral white matter: Intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 6 and 9%, cortical infarction in 47 and 45%, and lacunar infarction in 34 and 29%, respectively. We conclude that hypodensity of the cerebral white matter in patients with transient ischemic attack or minor stroke is associated with an extra risk of future stroke, from large as well as from small vessels, and particularly in patients under 70 years old; this increase of risk is independent of other risk factors for stroke.

Aged↗

Cardiac and arterial lesions in carotid transient ischemic attacks.

Two hundred fifty consecutive patients with carotid transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and no previous stroke were assessed with cerebral angiography (95%), two-dimensional echocardiography (86%), electrocardiography (100%), and Holter monitoring (99 selected patients). Angiography disclosed a lesion appropriate to the TIAs in 84%. Lesions also occurred in the asymptomatic carotid artery, but stenosis of more than 75% of the lumen diameter and ulcers were significantly more frequent on the symptomatic side. Twenty-three percent of the patients had a potential source of emboli from the heart, usually in the context of symptomatic heart disease. Among the 205 patients who underwent full angiographic and cardiac investigations, 6% had an isolated potential cardiac source of emboli and 19% had a potential cardiac source of emboli associated with appropriate carotid disease. The search for a potential cardiac source of emboli is strongly indicated in patients with carotid TIAs and known heart disease. In the patients with no history of heart disease, the yield of this search is low, but our results suggest that at least 14 of such patients have an undetected potential cardiac source of emboli. Cardiac and arterial lesions commonly coexist in carotid TIAs.

Adult↗

Cerebral infarction in patients with transient ischemic attacks.

Cranial computed tomography of 284 patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and without previous stroke was evaluated. The sample population included patients with carotid and/or vertebrobasilar TIAs. Computed tomography revealed cerebral infarction in 34 patients, including 5 with multiple infarctions. The lesion location was consistent with TIA symptoms in 16 patients. In another 16 patients, however, the lesion location did not correspond to the TIA symptoms; these lesions were attributed to previous silent infarctions. Two patients with multiple infarctions had both symptomatic and asymptomatic lesions. Age and carotid stenosis were each significantly related to an increased chance of detecting cerebral infarction (either symptomatic or asymptomatic). No significant relationship between race, gender, hypertension, diabetes, cardiac disease, or smoking and the incidence of infarction was found by either univariate or multivariate analyses.

Aged↗

Transient ischemic attacks: racial differences, treatment, and prognosis.

Prognosis of transient ischemic attack (TIA) in 45 patients, diagnosed as TIA out of 75 suspected TIAs, was investigated for an average follow-up of 12.9 months. Twelve (27%) of the 45 patients progressed to complete stroke during the follow-up period. Patients with severe atherosclerotic lesions and with intracranial arterial lesions or with lesions of both intracranial and extracranial sites were predominant among the 29 cases examined angiographically, and the majority progressed to stroke. The prognosis was poorer than in the cases with mild atherosclerotic lesions or cases with only extracranial arterial lesions. From such characteristics of cerebral atherosclerosis of TIA in the Japanese with predominant intracranial severe arterial lesions, a different genesis for the development of cerebral atherosclerosis between Japanese and Americans or other Caucasians may be expected in cases with TIAs. With respect to the relation of recurrence of TIA to prognosis, a single episode of TIA in the past placed the patient at a greater risk of early infarction, where a high incidence (57%) of progression to stroke was found during the follow-up period. Treatment by superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis or anticoagulant drug medication seemed to improve the prognosis of TIA as compared with antiplatelet aggregation therapy. These results suggest that embolus formation from an embolic source of arterial lesions may play some part in the pathogenesis of TIA and occurrence of subsequent stroke.

Adult↗

C-reactive protein predicts further ischemic events in transient ischemic attack patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) experience cardiovascular events frequently, strong clinical predictors of recurrence are lacking. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) has been shown to be a powerful predictor of future first-ever and recurrent coronary and cerebral ischemic events. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hs-CRP and the risk of further ischemic events in TIA patients. METHODS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was determined <24 h after symptom onset among 135 consecutive TIA patients and stroke recurrence or any new vascular event was recorded during 1 year follow-up period. RESULTS: A total of 38 (28.1%) patients experienced an end point event: 28 (20.7%) cerebral ischemic events, six (4.4%) heart ischemic events, four (3%) peripheral arterial disease, and nine (6.7%) vascular deaths. Cox proportional hazards multivariate analyses identified age [hazard ratio (HR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.12, P = 0.01], large-artery occlusive disease (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.16 to 6.41, P = 0.02) and hs-CRP> 4.1 mg/l (HR 2.81, 95% CI 1.12-7.10, P = 0.03) as independent predictors of stroke. Moreover, age (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10, P = 0.02), large-artery occlusive disease (HR 3.12, 95% CI 1.48-6.58, P < 0.01), coronary disease (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.11-5.16, P = 0.03), and hs-CRP> 4.1 mg/l (HR 2.71, 95% CI 1.16-6.30, P = 0.02) were also independent predictors of any vascular event. CONCLUSIONS: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein serum level predicts further ischemic events following TIA. Routine CRP measurement might be a useful tool for identifying high-risk TIA patients in order to plan aggressive diagnostic protocols and prevention therapies.

Age Factors↗

Transient ischemic attacks (TIA): current issues in diagnosis and management.

Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) affect more than 500,000 Americans each year. Stroke risk approximates 4% to 8% within 1 month and increases to 12% to 13% at one year. This has led to stroke being one of the leading causes of death and disability. TIAs are focal neurologic events that are temporary in nature and warn of potential stroke. Most TIAs resolve within 24 hours. Hypertension, smoking, heart disease, and diabetes are the major risk factors for stroke. A comprehensive history of symptoms can help identify carotid vs. vertebrobasilar disease. Timely evaluation of TIAs should be performed according to recent guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association. Aspirin continues to be the gold standard for stroke prevention, conferring a 48% risk reduction in stroke or death. The use of ticlopidine has been recommended as a second-line agent in patients with aspirin intolerance. Surgical intervention (carotid endarterectomy) is indicated in symptomatic patients with high grade stenosis of 70% or greater. For patients with less significant stenosis, inconclusive data exists regarding the benefit of medical vs. surgical treatment. Patient education should address identification of symptoms, the need for prompt medical attention, and risk factor modification. A collaborative plan between clinician and client will facilitate early intervention ultimately leading to preservation of function and prevention of the catastrophic sequelae of stroke.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

Transient ischemic attacks are more than "ministrokes".

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are warning signs of stroke. Recently, the hypothesis was raised that TIA bears a significant risk for death and dependence and requires the same complex diagnostic workup as a complete stroke. METHODS: We prospectively collected pre- and in-hospital procedures, symptoms, outcome, complications, and therapies from a representative sample of all stroke-treating hospitals (n=82) in southwest Germany. Follow-up was attempted 6 months after discharge. End points were death or dependence in activities of daily living (Barthel Index <95, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of 3 to 6, or institutionalization in a nursing home). RESULTS: 1380 TIA patients and 3855 stroke patients entered the database. During hospital stay, stroke incidence was 8% for TIA patients and another 5% within the first half-year. Similarly, for ischemic stroke (IS) patients these figures were 7% and 6% (P>0.05), respectively. Two percent of TIA patients died in hospital (5% afterward) compared with 9% of stroke patients (10% afterward, P<0.001). Seventeen percent TIA compared with 38% IS patients (P<0.05) were dependent at follow-up. Whereas an estimated preexisting deficit (mRS >2) was the strongest predictor for death or disability (baseline mRS odds ratio, 4.1; 95% CI, 2.3 to 7.2), admission to a stroke unit was a valid predictor for survival and independence (odds ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.9). CONCLUSIONS: These data from a large, multicenter, nonselected, observational study underscore the "not so benign" prognosis for TIA patients. There is a relevant individual risk of early stroke, death, or disability in TIA patients. Management and treatment strategies are similar for both TIA and acute stroke.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Outcome of 314 patients with transient ischemic attacks.

Between 1967 and 1976, 314 patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) were evaluated and treated. Follow-up has been from 2.8 to 13.2 years (mean 7.8). As of 1979, 55 of the patients had succumbed to cardiovascular disease (28), cerebrovascular disease (9), malignancy (10), and other causes (8). During the follow-up period, 15 patients suffered brain infarction (4.8% under the risk) while 40 had myocardial infarction (12.7%) under the risk). Brain infarction occurred as often in patients with carotid TIA as in those with vertebral-basilar TIA, and was more common in patients under anticoagulation therapy than in those without it (p less than 0.05). Arterial hypertension, heart disease, peripheral arterial disease and diabetes did not increase the risk of brain infarction, but all (except diabetes) increased the risk of myocardial infarction. Combination of TIA with arterial hypertension, heat disease, or peripheral arterial disease increased the mortality (p less than 0.001). A life table analysis of surviving 1, 5, and 10 years gave probabilities of 99 and 100%, 89 and 91%, and 60 and 75% for males and females respectively. In the case of normotensive and hypertensive patients, a life table analysis of chances of surviving 1, 5, and 10 years gave probabilities of 100 and 95%. 94 and 80%, and 76 and 49% in both groups respectively. The result clearly emphasize treating of arterial hypertension, and demonstrate that TIA is not only a warning sign of impending stroke but also that of myocardial infarction.

Adolescent↗

Orthostatic transient ischemic attacks: a symptom of large vessel occlusion.

Orthostatic transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are very much rarer than orthostatic generalized cerebral ischemia (syncope). A case is described and previous reports reviewed. Orthostatic TIA appears to occur only with large vessel occlusion. In these patients, collateral blood supply is marginal and unable to support normal postural autoregulation.

Aged↗

Carotid and vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks: clinical and angiographic correlation.

Carotid and vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) were clinically and angiographically correlated in 85 patients who had four-vessel angiography within 2 weeks after a TIA. The patients were divided into carotid and vertebrobasilar groups by clinical criteria. In the correlations of symptoms with arteriography, lesions of the contralateral internal carotid artery were observed in 54 percent of the patients. Of 39 patients with vertebrobasilar symptoms, 34 percent also had one carotid lesion and six patients had combinations of symptoms of both carotid and vertebrobasilar disease. In correlation with carotid bruits of the 85 patients, bruits were heard over one carotid artery in 42 percent. Subclavian bruits were heard in 47 percent of the patients with vertebrobasilar symptomatology. TIAs owing to arteriosclerosis of the cervical arteries occurred in 85 percent of the patients, but there was no significant difference in the incidence of atherosclerosis-induced TIA in the carotid and vertebrobasilar systems. For accurate population surveys of the prevalence of TIAs, and for clinical decisions, proper categorization of patients is necessary.

Adolescent↗

Diffusion-weighted MR imaging in the acute phase of transient ischemic attacks.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Radiologic assessment of acute transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) has been handicapped by the low sensitivity of CT and conventional MR imaging for acute small-vessel infarction and the difficulty in differentiating between acute and chronic lesions by use of these methods. Our purpose was to evaluate the incidence of TIA-related infarction by using diffusion-weighted MR imaging to determine whether the presence of a diffusion imaging abnormality correlates with the duration of symptoms or cause of TIA. METHODS: We prospectively studied 58 consecutive patients with acute TIA by use of diffusion-weighted imaging. All MR imaging was performed with a 1.5-T whole-body system with 24-mT/m gradient strength and an echo-planar-capable receiver. All patients were imaged within 10 days of stroke onset. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients (67%) manifested a diffusion imaging abnormality consistent with acute ischemia. Cortical lesions were identified in 54% of these patients; most of them associated with other acute ischemic lesions. Subcortical lesions were identified in 46%; most of them were isolated from other lesions. The mean duration of symptoms in patients with no TIA-related diffusion imaging abnormalities was 0.96 hours (median, 0.33 hours) compared with a mean of 6.85 hours (median, 1.53 hours) in patients with diffusion imaging abnormalities (P =.025, Mann-Whitney U test). This significant correlation between the duration of TIA symptoms and the presence of TIA-related abnormalities was lost when we excluded from the analysis patients whose symptoms lasted longer than 6 hours (P =.513, Mann-Whitney U test). No significant correlation was observed between the size of TIA-related lesions and the duration of symptoms or cause of TIA. CONCLUSION: Two thirds of our TIA patients showed focal abnormalities indicative of acute ischemic lesions on diffusion-weighted images. This incidence is higher than that previously reported in the literature. The presence of such abnormalities increased with increasing total symptom duration, but this relation was not observed when only patients whose symptoms lasted less than 6 hours were considered. No significant correlation was observed between the cause and presence of TIA-related lesions on diffusion-weighted MR images. These TIA-related lesions are probably irreversible and may lead to subsequent infarct.

Acute Disease↗

Carotid endarterectomy in patients with cerebral transient ischemic attacks.

Eighty-seven consecutive patients with cerebral transient ischemic attacks (TIA) subjected to 98 surgical operations for stenosis of the internal carotid artery were followed for a period of 3.5 years in average. In the immediate postoperative period one patient died and two other patients had a severe neurological deficit. These complications occurred in patients where medical risk factors were present preoperatively. During the follow-up period six patients had a stroke. This figure is about 1/3 og the estimated expected number in an untreated patient group of the same size. Three strokes occurred from the hemisphere ipsilateral to the operated internal carotid artery and three from the contralateral hemisphere. Although estimation of expected number of strokes is associated with many uncertainties the present results suggest that carotid endarterectomy in patients with TIA and carotid artery stenosis reduced the frequency of strokes.

Adult↗

Anticoagulants versus antiplatelet therapy for preventing stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack.

BACKGROUND: People with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation (NRAF) who have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke are at risk of recurrent stroke. Both warfarin and aspirin have been shown to reduce the recurrence of vascular events. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to compare the effect of anticoagulants with antiplatelet agents, for secondary prevention, in people with NRAF and previous cerebral ischemia. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register (last searched 9 June 2003) and contacted trialists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing oral anticoagulants with antiplatelet agents in patients with NRAF and a previous TIA or minor ischemic stroke. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Both reviewers extracted and analysed data. MAIN RESULTS: Two trial were identified. The European Atrial Fibrillation Trial (EAFT) involving 455 patients, who received either anticoagulants (International Normalised Ratio (INR) 2.5 to 4.0), or aspirin (300 mg/day). Patients joined the trial within three months of transient ischemic attack or minor stroke. The mean follow up was 2.3 years. In the Studio Italiano Fibrillazione Atriale (SIFA) trial, 916 patients with NRAF and a TIA or minor stroke within the previous 15 days were randomised to open label anticoagulants (INR 2.0 to 3.5) or indobufen (a reversible platelet cyclooxygenase inhibitor, 100 or 200 mg BID). The follow-up period was one year. The combined results show that anticoagulants were significantly more effective than antiplatelet therapy both for all vascular events (Peto odds ratio (Peto OR) 0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 0.91) and for recurrent stroke (Peto OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.72). Major extracranial bleeding complications occurred more often in patients on anticoagulants (Peto OR 5.16, 95% CI 2.08 to 12.83), but the absolute difference was small (2.8% per year versus 0.9% per year in EAFT and 0.9% per year versus 0% in SIFA). Warfarin did not cause a significant increase of intracranial bleeds. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from two trials suggests that anticoagulant therapy is superior to antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of stroke in people with NRAF and recent non-disabling stroke or TIA. The risk of extracranial bleeding was higher with anticoagulant therapy than with antiplatelet therapy.

Anticoagulants↗

Transient ischemic attacks in younger and older patients. A comparative study of 798 patients in South Africa.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The literature concerning transient ischemic attacks in young adults compared with strokes in young adults is scanty. This study evaluates the profile of transient ischemic attacks in young patients (aged 45 years or younger) compared with older patients (aged older than 45 years). METHODS: Between 1981 and 1991, 75 young patients (aged 45 years or younger) and 723 older patients (aged older than 45 years) were diagnosed as having a transient ischemic attack and included in the study. History of presenting transient ischemic attack, risk factors, clinical features, investigations, and etiology were compared on the basis of the above age groups. RESULTS: In younger patients the presenting transient ischemic attack occurred less frequently in the vertebrobasilar territory (9% versus 21%, P = .03). Risk factor analysis revealed significant differences between the groups, with hypertension, previous smoking history, ischemic heart disease, and peripheral vascular disease being more common in the older group. Migraine and valvular heart disease were more common in the younger group. Approximately 60% of the patients in each group had multiple etiologies. The most common etiology was atheromatous cerebrovascular disease in both groups (74% versus 37% [P < .0001] in the older and younger groups, respectively). Other significant etiologic differences included fibromuscular dysplasia, mitral valve prolapse, and use of oral contraceptives occurring more frequently in the younger group, and ischemic heart disease occurring more frequently in the older group. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the clinical and etiologic differences between younger and older patients with transient ischemic attack. The importance of multiple etiologies in both groups of patients has diagnostic and management implications.

Adult↗

Case of the month: July 1997--diabetic male with transient ischemic attacks.

A 60-year-old diabetic male presented with transient ischemic attacks. Initial neurological examination and head CT were normal. Dysarthria, ataxia, delirium, and lethargy developed. A diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis was made after lumbar puncture and treatment with intravenous amphotericin B and 5-fluorcytosine was begun. A repeat head CT showed an anterior cerebral artery territory infarct. His condition worsened and he died of associated complications three weeks after admission. The case is used to discuss the association between cryptococcal meningitis and diabetes, transient ischemic attacks, and vasculitis with cerebral infarction.

Cerebral Infarction↗

Carotid transient ischemic attacks and normal investigations: a follow-up study.

Reports on the long-term prognosis of patients with transient ischemic attacks and normal angiograms have revealed variable results, some suggesting a good prognosis while others report an outcome no different from that of patients with transient ischemic attacks and atherosclerotic vascular narrowing. Normal cerebral angiograms do not exclude disease in the heart or hematologic disorders. The prognosis for patients with transient ischemic attacks, normal angiograms, and normal results of cardiac and hematologic investigations is not known. We report our experience with 43 patients (26 men and 17 women, mean age 55.6 years) with transient ischemic attacks and normal findings on all investigations (including angiography, cranial computed tomography, echocardiography, and Holter monitoring). The patients were followed for a mean of 4.43 years. Six patients had recurrent transient ischemic attacks and six developed angina pectoris. No patient developed a stroke. In the presence of normal cerebral, cardiac, and hematologic findings, the long-term prognosis of patients with transient ischemic attacks is good. However, the development of cardiac disease during follow-up could not be predicted using the available diagnostic methods.

Adult↗

Anticoagulants for preventing stroke in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and a history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks.

BACKGROUND: People with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation who have had a transient ischemic attack or a minor ischemic stroke are at risk of recurrent stroke. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to assess the effect of anticoagulants for secondary prevention, after a stroke or transient ischaemic attack, in patients with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation. SEARCH STRATEGY: The reviewer searched the Cochrane Stroke Group trials register and contacted trialists. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised trials comparing oral anticoagulants (target International Normalised Ratio range 2.5 to 4.0) with control or placebo in people with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and a previous transient ischaemic attack or minor ischaemic stroke. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One reviewer assessed trial quality and extracted data. MAIN RESULTS: Two trials involving 485 people were included. Anticoagulants reduced the risk of recurrent stroke by two-thirds (odds ratio 0.36, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.58). The risk of all vascular events was shown to be almost halved by treatment (odds ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval 0.37 to 0.82). No intracranial bleeds were reported among people given anticoagulants. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that anticoagulants are beneficial, without serious adverse effects, for people with nonrheumatic atrial fibrillation and recent cerebral ischaemia.

Anticoagulants↗

Prognosis of transient ischemic attacks in the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project.

In a community-based study of approximately 105,000 people, 184 presented with a transient ischemic attack during the 5 years between 1981 and 1986; we believe these persons represent almost all new cases of transient ischemic attack going to a doctor during that period. During a mean follow-up of 3.7 years 49 patients died, 45 had a first-ever stroke, and 17 had a myocardial infarction. Cardiac disease accounted for 17 (35%) deaths, while stroke was the cause of death in 15 patients (31%). The average actuarial risk of death was approximately 6.3%/yr, slightly greater than that expected for similar people without transient ischemic attacks (risk ratio [observed divided by expected] = 1.4). The actuarial risk of stroke was 11.6% during the first year after a transient ischemic attack and approximately 5.9%/yr over the first 5 years. Patients who suffered a transient ischemic attack had a 13-fold excess risk of stroke during the first year and a sevenfold excess risk over the first 7 years compared with people without transient ischemic attacks. The actuarial risk of death, stroke, or myocardial infarction over the first 5 years after a transient ischemic attack was approximately 8.4%/yr. The prognosis in this community-based cohort was better than that in previous reports. The high early risk of stroke means that investigation and treatment of new cases should commence as soon as possible.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗