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Improvement of cerebral blood flow and/or CO2 reactivity after superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass in patients with transient ischemic attacks and watershed-zone infarctions.

The effect of extracranial-intracranial bypass anastomosis on cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity during hypocapnia was investigated in ten patients with transient ischemic attacks or watershed infarctions due to carotid occlusive diseases. Six patients had occlusion and four had stenosis (greater than 50%) of the internal carotid artery. Those with infarctions had increased cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity postoperatively, and improved clinically. Those with transient ischemic attacks due to stenosis (greater than 50%) of the internal carotid artery had increased CO2 reactivity postoperatively but constant normal regional blood flow. Cerebral blood flow improved in those with poorer flow, CO2 reactivity increased in those with better reactivity, and better CO2 reactivity preoperatively brought about a greater flow increase. The pre- and postoperative evaluation of cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity is believed to be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of bypass anastomosis. Preoperative evaluation might be informative in selecting candidates for bypass.

Aged↗

New developments in managing transient ischemic attack and acute stroke.

During this decade, which has been designated the decade of the brain, the event of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or acute ischemic stroke is considered a brain attack requiring rapid diagnosis and treatment. This increased focus on the clinical problems of TIA and stroke has resulted in rapid advances in management of this patient population. This article will highlight for critical care nurses some of the many advances in patient management of TIA and stroke that have occurred in the past few years. Advances in the areas of diagnostic studies, pharmacologic interventions, and nursing care will be covered. Furthermore, some of the new developments on the horizon will be summarized.

Acute Disease↗

Causal attributions and health behavior choices among stroke and transient ischemic attack survivors.

To reduce the risk of a recurring event in patients who have suffered an initial stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), nurses are challenged with implementing and promoting changes in lifestyle and adherence to treatment regimens. Assessing patients' beliefs about the cause of the stroke or TIA is important to understanding their subsequent health behaviors. This study describes the causal attributions and health behavior choices of 9 participants following a stroke or TIA. Attributions were categorized as internal or external and cross-tabulated by controllability. The attributions were compared with health behavior choices. All participants attempted to make causal attributions, both internal (e.g., anxiety, hypertension, lifestyle) and external (e.g., stress, fate). Those making external attributions demonstrated poorer health behavior choices than those making internal attributions; controllability had no influence on behavior. Patients diagnosed more than 6 months before the study tended to make more external attributions. The results can help nurses understand the beliefs that drive the health behavior choices made by stroke and TIA survivors and guide them in tailoring prevention strategies and engaging patients in preventive activities.

Adult↗

Regional cerebral blood flow in patients with transient ischemic attacks studied by Xenon-133 inhalation and emission tomography.

Cerebral blood flow CBF was studied in 14 patients with transient ischemic attacks TIA and arteriosclerotic neck vessel disease. CBF was measured by a rapidly rotating single photon emission computerized tomograph using Xenon-133 inhalation. This method yields images of 3 brain slices depicting CBF with a spatial resolution of 1.7 cm. Based primarily on the clinical evidence and on the angiographical findings embolism was considered the pathogenetic factor in 10 cases, whereas chronic hemodynamic insufficiency rendered symptomatic by postural factors probably accounted for the symptoms in 4 patients. Of the 14 patients, all studied days to weeks after the most recent TIA, four showed hypoperfused areas on the CBF-tomograms and with roughly the same location hypodense areas on CT-scanning, i.e. areas of complete infarction. However, an additional five patients showed reduction of CBF in areas with no abnormality on the CT-scan. The abnormal blood flow pattern was found to be unchanged after clinically successful reconstructive vascular surgery. This suggests the presence of irreversible ischemic tissue damage without gross emollition (incomplete infarction). It is concluded, that TIAs are often harmful events, as no less than 9 of the 14 patients studied had evidence of complete and/or incomplete infarction. Thorough examination and rational therapy should be instituted as soon as possible to prevent further ischemic lesions.

Adult↗

Prognosis after transient ischemic attack and ischemic stroke in young adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We undertook this study to describe the risk of stroke recurrence and functional and occupational status in the long-term follow-up of young adults with ischemic strokes and to identify possible predictors for stroke recurrence, disability, and working status. METHODS: A cohort of 215 patients aged < or = 45 years with ischemic cerebral events (43 transient ischemic attacks, 135 minor strokes, 37 major strokes), evaluated at our institution from May 1985 through March 1992, was followed for a mean of 43.1 months (SD, 39.7 months; range, 1 to 228 months). Information on death and recurrent cerebral vascular events, functional disability (Rankin Scale), retirement, and working status was obtained from direct observation, mail questionnaire, and telephone interviews. RESULTS: Four patients (2%) with major strokes died acutely. Information on stroke recurrence and disability was available for 184 (87%) of the survivors and on retirement and working status for 140 (67%) of the patients. Two patients died from cancer. Seven transient ischemic attacks and eight strokes (two hemorrhagic) occurred during follow-up. Patients with strokes of unknown cause experienced no recurrent strokes, contrasting with two deaths and eight strokes in those whose stroke cause was identified (difference between proportions: 8%; 95% confidence interval, 3 to 13). Eighty-eight patients had a complete recovery, and only 21 were disabled (Rankin grades 4 or 5). Logistic regression analysis identified the severity of the initial stroke (Rankin grade > 3) as the only significant predictor of disability (odds ratio, 10.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 30.6). Of the survivors, 73% were working, and only 18% were retired. Disability at follow-up was the best (but nonsignificant) predictor of retirement (odds ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.8 to 3.4). CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic stroke in young adults has a low acute mortality and few recurrences, more so if the cause is not identified. The majority of patients return to an active professional life. Severity of the initial stroke is the major predictor of independence. The relation between disability and return to work or retirement is less clear.

Adult↗

A methodological appraisal of research on prognosis after transient ischemic attacks.

We analyzed existing research on the prognosis of patients who have had a transient ischemic attack to identify studies that adhere to basic methodological principles and to identify underinvestigated questions. Studies were eligible for analysis if they were published in peer-reviewed journals after 1950, written in English, and included at least 50 patients with transient ischemia. Studies that included patients with stroke were included only if they reported outcome rates separately for the subgroup of patients with transient ischemia. All eligible studies were extracted by one investigator who recorded adherence to six key methodological principles. Among 60 eligible studies, 54 were observational cohort studies and six were randomized trials. Adherence to the six methodological principles was as follows: eight studies included an adequate description of diagnostic criteria and of procedures used to assure adherence to the criteria, 54 used appropriate end points, two assembled inception cohorts, 10 included an adequate description of end point surveillance, 22 adequately reported and analyzed censored patients, and 10 included a multivariate analysis for predictive variables. No study adhered to all six principles, but two adhered to the three most important ones (appropriate end points, inception cohort, and adequate reporting and analysis of censored patients). Aspects of prognosis after transient ischemia that have not been completely investigated include the severity of subsequent strokes and methods for estimating the outcome risk for individual patients. We conclude that only a few published investigations on prognosis after transient ischemia are methodologically complete. This finding helps explain why it is difficult to interpret many studies. Further research is needed and should target underinvestigated topics.

Cohort Studies↗

[Intracranial tumors simulating transient ischemic attacks].

INTRODUCTION: Occasionally intracranial tumors present a clinical picture similar to that seen with transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The mechanism for this is not clear. The differential diagnosis of these two disorders is important since their treatment is quite different. CLINICAL CASES: Two men and two women aged between 53 and 72 years of age, with no known cardiovascular risk factors, complained of one or several episodes of neurological deficit (hemisensitive deficits, transient blindness and isolated aphasia), lasting between 3 minutes and 6 hours. Neuroimaging investigations (CT and MR) showed images compatible with space occupying lesions localized to the convexity (parietal, frontotemporal and frontoparietal) and in one case at the edge of the sphenoid bone. Three patients were operated on. The lesions were confirmed as tumors (two cases of meningiomas and one of glioblastoma). Symptoms did not recur after a mean follow up period of nine months. Various mechanisms have been suggested to explain this phenomenon: vascular compression due to pressure from the mass, changes in intracranial pressure, vascular steal phenomenon, negative focal seizures, Leao s cortical depression and others. The absence of risk factors which would justify a vascular cause, the correlation between localization of the tumour and the clinical signs, and the disappearance of symptoms following surgery would seem to support the hypothesis that in our cases the symptoms observed were due to intracranial space occupying lesions. CONCLUSION: The presence of an intracranial tumour should be ruled out by using neuroradiological investigations in patients complaining of transient episodes of neurological deficits.

Aged↗

An update on transient ischemic attacks.

Each year in the United States 200,000-500,000 people have a transient ischemic attack (TIA). These episodes of brief neurologic deficits were thought to be fairly benign, but this view is changing. In 2002, a new definition for TIA was proposed, and a more intensive diagnostic workup recommended to look for a probable cause of the transient neurologic deficit. Implementation of prevention strategies is essential because the risk of a stroke following a TIA is approximately 30% within 5 years. These changes have important implications for nursing care and patient advocacy. In addition, patient and family education must be addressed by the entire healthcare team.

Education, Nursing, Continuing↗

Platelet-specific proteins in patients with transient ischemic attacks. (Effects of anti-platelet drugs).

Levels of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 in 46 patients with transient ischemic attacks and the influence of treatment with dipyridamole or aspirin plus dipyridamole were evaluated. Patients not receiving therapy showed levels of beta-thromboglobulin significantly higher than controls. However, patients taking only dipyridamole showed values of beta-thromboglobulin significantly lower than untreated patients or those taking aspirin plus dipyridamole. No significant difference was observed with regard to platelet factor 4 between the patients.

Adult↗

Transesophageal echocardiography is superior to transthoracic echocardiography in management of patients of any age with transient ischemic attack or stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The merits of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the management of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke patients remains matter of debate. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients with a recent TIA or stroke for which no definite cause and indication for anticoagulation was assessed after standardized work-up underwent TTE and TEE. Echocardiographic findings were categorized into minor and major risk factors. RESULTS: A potential cardiac source of embolism was detected in 55% (127/ 231) of the patients by echocardiography, in 39% (90/231) only identified on TEE. Major risk factors, with an absolute indication for oral anticoagulation, were detected in 20% (46/231) of the patients, in 16% (38/231) of all patients identified on TEE only. A thrombus in the left atrial appendage was the most common major risk factor (38 patients, 16%). The presence of major risk factors was independent of age (chi2=1.48; P=0.224). The difference in proportions of cardiac sources detected in favor of TEE was highly significant in both patients < or = 45 years of age (10/39, P=0.002) and in those > 45 years of age (80/192; P<0.004). CONCLUSIONS: TEE proved superior to TTE for identification of a cardiac embolic source in patients with TIA or stroke without pre-existent indication or contraindication for anticoagulation. In patients with normal TTE, a cardiac source of embolism was detected by TEE in approximately 40% of patients, independent of age. More than 1 of 8 patients of any age with normal TTE revealed a major cardiac risk factor on TEE, in whom anticoagulation is warranted.

Adult↗

Multiple transient ischemic attacks, lupus anticoagulant and verrucous endocarditis.

A young adult with lupus anticoagulant and systemic lupus erythematosus had onset of multiple transient ischemic attacks four years after a major left hemispheric infarct. The symptoms were stereotyped, recurred several times daily over three years and ceased when aspirin was added to steroid therapy. It is speculated that her symptoms were due to recurrent embolism from the heart in the presence of a thrombotic state.

Adult↗

Incidence of transient ischemic attacks in Oxfordshire, England.

The Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project is a prospective register of all new cases of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a population of 105,000 residents of Oxfordshire, England. Between November 1, 1981, and October 31, 1986, 184 patients presented for the first time to a general practitioner or hospital with a TIA. The crude annual incidence rate was 0.35/1000, 0.42/1000 standardized to the 1981 population of England and Wales. We estimate that each year approximately 21,000 patients in England and Wales (about half of whom are greater than 70 years old) consult a doctor for the first time with a TIA. Approximately 80% of our 184 patients had TIAs in the carotid distribution; the remainder had TIAs in the vertebrobasilar distribution or TIAs of uncertain vascular distribution. The incidence of TIA increased sharply with increasing age, and the overall incidence in men was very similar to that in women (incidence ratio 1.3). However, in middle age, men were much more likely to suffer a TIA than women (odds ratio 2.6), which probably explains the marked male predominance in most hospital-based studies and treatment trials in which the elderly, and thus women, are underrepresented. This has important implications for the design and interpretation of clinical trials of treatment for TIAs.

Adolescent↗

Family history in patients with transient ischemic attacks.

To determine the influence of family history on vascular disease, we surveyed hospital patients discharged with a diagnosis of transient ischemic attack. Of 117 respondents, 81 knew their family history for myocardial infarction and 81 knew their family history for stroke. Of 83 responding 43 reported a personal history of myocardial infarction, and of 85 responding 66 reported a personal history of stroke. As expected, there was an association between positive family and personal histories of myocardial infarction in younger (aged less than 70 years) patients (Fisher's two-tailed exact test, p = 0.014). This association was reversed for stroke (Fisher's two-tailed exact test, p = 0.017). Older (aged greater than or equal to 70 years) patients had a stronger association between positive family and personal histories of stroke; 14 (74%) of 19 older patients with a positive personal history of stroke had a positive family history of stroke. The reason for this reversal in the relation between family and personal histories of stroke compared with myocardial infarction may relate to the older age at onset of most strokes, differing stroke subtypes in older age groups, or lower rates of fatal myocardial infarction. This study suggests that familial factors may be important in some subtypes of cerebrovascular disease. Familial effects may be different in vascular diseases of the heart and brain.

Adolescent↗

Transient ischemic attack with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

A 66-year-old Turkish male patient admitted to our emergency department with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is described. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and an ECG sinus rhythm. Transesophageal echocardiography detected severe spontaneous echocontrast (SEC) in the left atrial (LA) cavity with apical hypertrophy.

Aged↗

Carotid transient ischemic attacks presenting as limb-shaking syndrome: report of two cases.

Limb shaking syndrome (LSS) is a rare presentation of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), usually secondary to a critical carotid stenosis compromising intracranial circulation, first described 40 years ago. Two additional cases are described herein, aiming to add on to previous descriptions, and to warn physicians about this potentially harming and rather uncommon condition.

Aged↗

Diminished global fibrinolytic capacity in patients with mitral valve prolapse is associated with transient ischemic attacks.

Although mitral valve prolapse (MVP) has shown to be associated with thromboembolic complications, the cause of thromboembolic events in those patients is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fibrinolytic activity in MVP patients. The study included 35 consecutive patients (25 women, mean age 25+/-11 years) with echocardiographically documented MVP and 25 age- and sex-matched subjects as a control group. Four of MVP patients have a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA). Global fibrinolytic capacity (GFC), a new technique that examines the effectiveness of the entire fibrinolytic system, was measured. Global fibrinolytic capacity was found to be nonsignificantly increased in MVP patients (3.14+/-1.42 microg/mL) compared to those in control subjects (2.36+/-1.33 microg/mL) (p>0.05). However, in four of these MVP patients who had a history of transient ischemic attack, the GFC level was significantly lower than in patients who have no history of transient ischemic attack (1.67+/-0.6 microg/mL vs 3.27+/-1.46 (microg/mL, p=0.003). Furthermore, the GFC levels of these four patients were less than those of controls (p=0.04). These results showed that global fibrinolytic activity was similar in MVP patients without a history of TIA and control subjects. However, MVP patients with a history of TIA had significantly decreased global fibrinolytic activity compared to controls and as well as MVP patients without a history of TIA.

Adult↗

Transient global amnesia and transient ischemic attack: a community-based case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: Few case-control studies of first-ever transient global amnesia (TGA), transient ischemic attack (TIA) and normal controls have been performed to date. We aimed to assess the prevalence of cerebrovascular risk factors in a well defined population of TGA patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We undertook a retrospective and prospective community-based case-control study of 170 first-ever TGA, 170 first-ever TIA and 170 normal controls. RESULTS: Age-matched analysis revealed that TGA cases had a significantly lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus than TIA controls. The prevalence of cigarette smoking and diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in normal controls than in TGA cases. CONCLUSION: Our community-based case-control study showed that atrial fibrillation and diabetes mellitus, two important risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, were significantly more common in the TIA group than in the TGA one. These results make the thromboembolic pathogenesis of TGA unlikely.

Amnesia↗

Semiquantitative regional cerebral blood flow evaluation using 123I-IMP SPECT in a case showing transient ischemic attack caused by putaminal hemorrhage.

A 69-year-old woman presented a transient cerebral ischemic attack, showing left arm weakness and slurred speech which recovered within 4 h of onset, while computed tomography indicated a putaminal hemorrhage. The regional cerebral blood flow distribution, measured semiquantitatively by use of 123I amphetamine emission tomography, was disturbed, which persisted more than one month up to a maximum of 4.5 months from the onset of symptoms. This case illustrates a variety of putaminal hemorrhage of good functional and vital prognosis, and provides an example in which the regional cerebral blood flow disturbances might persist for more than one month up to 4.5 months after the occurrence of a transient ischemic attack caused by a putaminal hemorrhage.

Aged↗