PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Transient ischemic attack”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 379 records · Page 21Linked to original sources

The use of a bolus of intravenous heparin while initiating heparin therapy in anticoagulation following transient ischemic attack or stroke does not lead to increased morbidity or mortality.

Intravenous heparin therapy is often used in patients presenting with transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke as either bridging therapy for anticoagulation with warfarin, or as primary therapy in suspected intracranial arterial dissection, crescendo TIAs, or suspected hypercoagulable states. We examined the use of a bolus of intravenous heparin at the start of anticoagulation during hospital admission for patients with TIA or stroke. A subgroup analysis of a prospective, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial was undertaken to examine the effect of providing an intravenous bolus of heparin prior to continuous intravenous maintenance heparin therapy. Pre-treatment clinical factors were comparable between subgroups. Thirty-three patients received a bolus at initiation of therapy and 173 patients did not. Patients receiving a bolus had a significantly higher first activated partial thromboplastin time at 6 h after initiation of therapy than patients without bolus (87.6 +/- 36.3 versus 61.0 +/- 8.1 s). Patients receiving bolus achieved an initial activated partial thromboplastin time greater than the minimum threshold for the therapeutic range of anticoagulation (> 60 s) sooner than patients without bolus (9.6 +/- 7.3 versus 14.5 +/- 10.8 h), but did not have a significantly greater chance of achieving therapeutic range (60-90 s). The fraction of time during which anticoagulation was therapeutic was similar between patients receiving bolus or not. There was no significant difference between the number of supratherapeutic coagulation results, total dosage of intravenous heparin received, complications due to anticoagulation, nor the times required for discontinuation of heparin and discharge from hospital between subgroups. The use of an intravenous heparin bolus during initiation of anticoagulation for TIA or stroke does not appear to be associated with greater risks and can achieve a minimum therapeutic range faster than therapy without heparin bolus.

Adult↗

A follow-up analysis of transient ischemic attack patients suggests unsatisfactory disease management and possible underutilization of carotid endarterectomy in Lazio, Italy.

We evaluated the disease management of transient ischemic attack in patients admitted to Lazio hospitals from July 1997 to June 1998. We assessed the effects of patient characteristics including chronic comorbidities on the use of diagnostic procedures, endarterectomy, and on the risk of adverse cerebrovascular outcome or death. There were 2,608 patients in the study who were followed up over a 18- to 30-month period. Carotid surgery was performed on 1.15% of the subjects, total mortality was 34.7 per 1,000 person-years and adverse cerebrovascular outcome was observed in 38.1 per 1,000 person-years. Chronic comorbidities did affect the mortality rate and the rate of adverse outcome, but not the rate of endarterectomies. Carotid surgery was infrequently performed in study subjects. It seems that this potentially stroke-preventive treatment was not offered to suitable candidates in many instances.

Aged↗

Malondialdehyde-like material and beta-thromboglobulin plasma levels in patients suffering from transient ischemic attacks.

Beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG) and malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) plasma levels were studied in patients affected by transient ischemic attacks (TIA) after 2-4 months from the last episode. BetaTG and MDA-LM values were significantly higher in TIA patients than in 20 controls matched for age. No correlation between MDA-LM and betaTG was seen. This study suggests that in vivo platelet activation and, likely, increase of platelet cyclo-oxygenase activity can be detectable in TIA patients.

Adult↗

Persisting perfusion defect in transient ischemic attacks: a new clinically useful subgroup?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral infarction and prolonged regional hypoperfusion have been described in patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity of single-photon emission CT (SPECT) with that of brain CT and to evaluate the clinical significance of differentiation of TIA patients with or without focal hypoperfusion. METHODS: From a hospital-based population, we studied the SPECT and CT findings in 76 consecutive patients, without a stroke history, who presented with TIA in the carotid artery territory. The recorded variables were the time of SPECT, imaging (<36 or > or = 36 hours), clinical presentation, history of previous TIA(s), duration of the presenting attack (<2 or > or = 2 hours), vascular risk factors, and etiology. We used both visual and semiquantitative analyses for the SPECT evaluation. Acetazolamide challenge was not performed. RESULTS: The overall SPECT sensitivity was 36% (27/76). When brain CT and SPECT were performed in the same patients, the SPECT sensitivity was significantly higher than that of CT (19/59 [32%] versus 8/59 [14%]; P=.007). The SPECT sensitivity was not dependent on the time of investigation, duration of attacks, history of TIA(s), or the clinical presentation. The vascular risk and etiologic factors were not significantly different between the patients with or without prolonged focal hypoperfusion. Logistic regression did not identify any variable to discriminate the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its better sensitivity compared with CT, SPECT performed without the acetazolamide test provides no additional clinically useful information on the vascular risk factors and etiology in TIA patients.

Acetazolamide↗

'Crescendo' transient ischemic attacks: clinical and angiographic correlations.

Forty-seven consecutive patients presenting acutely with repetitive symptoms indicative of anterior circulation ischemia ("crescendo" transient ischemic attacks) were evaluated to identify clinical features that might reliably predict the presence of significant stenosis, ulceration, or both in the presumably symptomatic internal carotid artery. Angiographic or intraoperative correlation was obtained in all patients, and 26 (55%) were found to have anatomically significant disease. Of 20 patients with signs or symptoms suggestive of cortical ischemia, amaurosis fugax, or both, 17 (85%) had "positive" angiograms; of 18 with numbness/weakness only, 9 (50%) had positive angiograms; of 9 whose symptoms suggested lacunar ischemia, none had positive angiograms.

Aged↗

[Transient ischemic attacks and coronary disease].

Taking into consideration data from the literature that the most common cause of mortality of patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA) is myocardial infarction, the aim of the study was to examine the state of coronary circulation in patients with TIA previously completely asymptomatic to coronary disease. There have been examined 40 patients with TIA previously asymptomatic to coronary disease and 14 patients with general characteristics similar to Parkinson's syndrome, also asymptomatic to coronary disease. All patients were subjected to neurological examination, echocardiography of carotid arteries, standard electrocardiography, X-ray of the heart and ergometry and, if indicated, coronarography. On the basis of the analysis of the results obtained it has been concluded that a significant number of patients with TIA, previously asymptomatic to coronary disease showed signs of coronary disease which imposes the necessity of correction of doctrinaire principles in prevention and follow up of these patients.

Coronary Disease↗

Steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome associated with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, transient ischemic attacks and lymphopenia.

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, nephrotic syndrome and chronic renal failure were associated with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, growth failure, lymphopenia and transient ischemic attacks leading to severe neurological symptoms in three children. Two boys and one girl developed the full syndrome at the age of 5, 6 and 10 years. Positron emission tomography revealed perfusion defects of both cerebral and cerebellar arteries. A variant of the disease was found in two other children who had a nephrotic syndrome and terminal renal failure with only mild spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, impaired growth and a normal cerebral function. It is concluded that there may be a close association between focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasias.

Brain↗

[Cerebral blood flow and CO2 reactivity in patients with transient ischemic attack].

To elucidate the changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) and CO2 reactivity in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA), 10 patients with TIA and 5 healthy adults (controls) underwent two consecutive CBF measurements (i.e. the first measurement during room air inhalation and the second measurement during 5%CO2 inhalation). Hemispheric mean CBF was determined by each CBF measurement using 133Xenon inhalation method. CO2 reactivity was evaluated by analysing delta CBF (= mean CBF during hypercapnea-mean CBF at rest) and delta CBF/delta PaCO2. The resting mean CBF values in the bilateral hemispheres (i.e. both of the affected and unaffected hemispheres) were significantly lower in TIA patients than controls (p less than 0.05). Inhalation of 5%CO2 significantly increased mean CBF in TIA patients bilaterally, however the mean CBF value during hypercapnea was again significantly lower in TIA patients than controls (p less than 0.05). CO2 reactivity in TIA patients was not significantly different from controls (p greater than 0.05). The result demonstrated that TIA patients have a chronic and global cerebral oligemia with normal CO2 reactivity. The chronic and global cerebral oligemia may develop a transient ischemic neurological symptom by being superimposed with local decrease of CBF.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Extracranial carotid atherosclerosis in patients with and without transient ischemic attacks and coronary artery disease.

We examined the extent of extracranial carotid atherosclerosis as evaluated by a B-mode ultrasound score in four groups of hospitalized patients: hospital controls free of both cerebrovascular symptoms and coronary atherosclerosis (HC, n = 245); patients with coronary atherosclerosis but without cerebrovascular symptoms (CAD, n = 382); patients with transient ischemic attacks but asymptomatic for coronary atherosclerosis (TIA, n = 107); and patients having both transient ischemic attacks and symptomatic coronary events (TIA + CAD, n = 39). The unadjusted B-mode scores were lowest for the HC group, intermediate for the CAD group, and highest for the TIA or TIA + CAD groups (no difference between these two groups). However, after adjustment for age (or age and other risk factors), we could find no significant differences among the CAD, TIA, and TIA + CAD groups, while the HC group had significantly lower adjusted scores. These data suggest that 1) accentuated development of carotid atherosclerosis is associated with both TIA and CAD and 2) the apparent differences in extracranial carotid atherosclerosis between coronary and cerebrovascular patients are partly attributable to differences in risk factor profiles (most notably age). The potentially accentuated rate of development of extracranial atherosclerosis in patients with CAD mandates a low threshold for cerebrovascular evaluation in CAD patients.

Aging↗

Risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack, and vessel occlusion before endarterectomy in patients with symptomatic severe carotid stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We aimed to identify and determine the clinical relevance of parameters predictive of stroke recurrence and vessel occlusion before carotid endarterectomy. METHODS: One hundred forty-three consecutive patients (105 men; mean age, 66.1+/-8 years) with symptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis were prospectively followed up until carotid endarterectomy. Patients had suffered an ischemic vascular event in the ipsilateral anterior circulation 9.6 days (median; range, 0 to 92 days) before presentation and assessment of stenosis. Admission examination included medical history, neurological status, extracranial and transcranial Doppler/duplex sonography, CT/MRI, ECG, and routine laboratory examination. All patients were reevaluated in the same way the day before surgery (without CT/MRI) and at recurrence of an ischemic event (including CT/MRI). RESULTS: The end point of follow-up after 19.0 days (median; range, 0 to 118) was carotid endarterectomy in 120 patients, ipsilateral recurrent ischemia in 15 patients (7 transient events and 8 disabling strokes, with carotid occlusion in 4), and (asymptomatic) carotid occlusion in 8 patients. An exhausted cerebrovascular reactivity as determined by a Doppler CO2 test in the middle cerebral artery ipsilateral to the stenosis was the only independent predictive parameter for disabling stroke (odds ratio [OR], 9.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 44.1; P=0.003). Stroke rate in patients with exhausted reactivity was 27% per month compared with 5.2% in those with normal reactivity. Progression of stenosis toward occlusion was observed in 12 patients and correlated with decreased poststenotic peak systolic velocity (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.90; P=0.002), poststenotic arterial narrowing (OR, 22.7; 95% CI, 3.6 to 141.6; P=0.001), and very severe stenosis (OR, 13.6; 95% CI, 2.2 to 83.7; P=0.005). In patients without hemodynamic compromise, occlusion was not associated with increased stroke risk. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with recently symptomatic high-grade carotid artery stenosis and ipsilateral hemodynamic compromise are at high risk for early disabling stroke. Assessment of the hemodynamic status is recommended after diagnosis of severe carotid stenosis in symptomatic patients to further investigate and evaluate whether these patients may benefit from early endarterectomy.

Aged↗

Recurrent transient ischemic attacks after carotid endarterectomy.

The postoperative courses of 113 patients undergoing 121 carotid endarterectomies between 1974 and 1979 were analyzed for recurrent transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The TIAs were the indication for the original operation in all patients; 31 patients had a stable neurologic deficit prior to operation. Two patients sustained major strokes and three had nondisabling minor strokes. Three patients had late strokes. Recurrent TIAs occurred during follow-up in 28 patients, and these were classified into four distinct categories: (1) Ten patients had single TIAs in the distribution of the carotid artery operated on in the early postoperative days. (2) Four patients had late, repetitive TIAs related to the operated side. (3) Five patients had late TIAs in the distribution of the contralateral artery. (4) Nine patients had single or multiple TIAs owing to recurrent vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Close, long-term follow-up of postendarterectomy patients is recommended to locate those who will have surgically correctable lesions.

Aged↗

Is admission medically justified for all patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack?

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine whether admission to an acute care hospital is medically justified for all patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and whether those patients for whom admission is justified can be identified in the emergency department. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SETTING: Urban county teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive adult patients seen in an ED with nonhemorrhagic stroke, TIA, or hemorrhagic stroke. METHODS: Admission to an acute care hospital was deemed medically justified when the patient had any of the following criteria: another diagnosis that warranted admission, an inadequate home situation, altered mental status, or an adverse event during hospitalization or if they underwent hospital-based treatment that could not be provided on an outpatient basis. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-eight patients were seen during a 1-year period: 120 had an ED diagnosis of nonhemorrhagic stroke, 22 had a diagnosis of TIA, and 26 had a diagnosis of hemorrhagic stroke. One hundred sixty-one patients (96%) were admitted to our hospital. Sixty-three of the 161 admissions (39%) were retrospectively categorized as medically justified. Seventeen of the 63 patients (27%) whose admissions were medically justified developed the criteria justifying their admission after leaving the ED. CONCLUSION: The practice of admitting all patients with nonhemorrhagic stroke, TIA, or hemorrhagic stroke to an acute care hospital is medically justified because the ED evaluation cannot reliably identify patients whose condition will worsen.

Acute Disease↗

Predictive value of stroke and transient ischemic attack discharge diagnoses in The Danish National Registry of Patients.

We examined the predictive value of the discharge diagnoses of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) in The National Registry of Patients (NRP) for participants in the Danish cohort study "Diet, Cancer, and Health." We retrieved all probable incident registered cases of stroke and TIA, i.e., ICD-10: I60-69.8, or G45 (n = 581) within the cohort from the NRP. Medical records and hospital discharge summaries were retrieved and reviewed using a standardized form. Overall, 299 of 377 cases (79.3%, 95% CI: 74.9-83.3%) of stroke recorded were confirmed. Subarachnoidal hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage were confirmed in 14 of 29 cases (48.3%, 95% CI: 29.4-67.5%), and 23 of 35 cases (65.7%, 95% CI: 47.8-80.9%), respectively. By contrast, ischemic stroke and unspecified stroke were confirmed in 99 of 113 cases (87.6%, 95% CI: 80.1-93.1%) and 152 of 200 cases (76.0%, 95% CI: 69.5-81.7%), respectively. Among 134 patients with a TIA discharge diagnosis, 60.4% (95% CI: 51.6-68.8%) were confirmed. Discharge diagnoses from emergency rooms had lower overall predictive value (48.8%, 95% CI: 39.9-57.8%) than discharge diagnoses from departments of internal medicine (68.8%, 95% CI: 61.3-75.5%) and departments of neurology or neurosurgery (77.9%, 95% CI: 72.3-82.7%). We conclude that stroke and TIA diagnoses in NRP should be used with caution in epidemiological research because the low predictive value for some diagnostic subgroups may lead to serious misclassification and biased results.

Age Factors↗

Risk factors for transient ischemic attacks in middle-age. A population-based case-control study.

A case-control study was based on "unselected" transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in a middle-aged Italian population. The identified cases included 52 prevalent and 25 incident TIAs. There was an incidence rate ratio (female/male) of 1.8 for definite cases. Comparison with the whole population for medical history of hypertension, diabetes and heart attack showed age/sex-adjusted odds ratios of 4.3, 2.1, 7.9 for incident cases. The results were similar when a more detailed investigation of risk factors was performed with all the cases and a random sample of the controls. Moreover, female sex had an odds ratio for incident cases of 3.3 (95% confidence interval 1.0-11.3) after adjustment for age and presence of all the main risk factors. The presence of at least one cardiopathy showed an odds ratio of 8.3 for incident cases (95% confidence interval 2.4-28.4).

Adult↗

Time course of sleep-related breathing disorders in first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack.

To investigate the prevalence and behavior of sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) associated with a first-ever stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), we prospectively studied 161 consecutive patients admitted to our stroke unit. Complete neurological assessment was performed to determine parenchymatous and vascular localization of the neurological lesion. Stroke subtype was categorized as TIA, ischemic (IS), or hemorrhagic (HS). A portable respiratory recording (PRR) study was performed within 48-72 h after admission (acute phase), and subsequently after 3 mo (stable phase). During the acute phase, 116 patients (71.4%) had an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) > 10 events/h and 45 (28%) had an AHI > 30. No relationships were found between sleep-related respiratory events and the topographical parenchymatous location of the neurological lesion or vascular involvement. Cheyne-Stokes breathing (CSB) was observed in 42 cases (26.1%). There were no significant differences in SRBD according to the stroke subtype except for the central apnea index (CAI). During the stable phase a second PRR was performed in 86 patients: 53 of 86 had an AHI > 10 and 17 of 86 had an AHI > 30. The AHI and CAI were significantly lower than those in the acute phase (16.9 +/- 13.8 versus 22.4 +/- 17.3 and 3.3 +/- 7.6 versus 6.2 +/- 10.2, respectively) (p < 0.05) while the obstructive apnea index (OAI) remained unchanged. CSB was observed in 6 of 86 patients. The prevalence of SRBD in patients with first-ever stroke or TIA is higher than expected from the available epidemiological data in our country. No correlation was found between neurological location and the presence or type of SRBD. Obstructive events seem to be a condition prior to the neurological disease whereas central events and CSB could be its consequence.

Aged↗

[Risk factors and prognostic variables in transient ischemic attacks and in infarctions with minimal sequelae. A multivariate comparative study].

BACKGROUND: There are no clinical differences accounting for a distinction between transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebral infarct with minimal sequelae (IMS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there are diverse risk factors involving a different prognosis in these two groups. METHODS: 144 patients with TIA and 110 with IMS of atherothrombotic origin were prospectively controlled during a mean period of 21 months. Risk factors in both groups were compared with the calculation of the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). The prognosis of the series was evaluated with survival curves, considering as end points the development of recurrences or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: In the TIA group there was a higher rate of previous TIA (OR = 3.6; 95%Ci = 1.5-8.6) and a smaller prevalence of hypertension (OR = 0.45; 95%CI = 0.27-0.76). There were no significant differences between both groups regarding the probability of survival without TIA or cerebral infarction. Cox's proportional risk analysis selected the stenosis of supraaortic arterial trunks and hyperglycemia as the only factors with independent prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the classification of reversible ischemic attacks into TIA and IMS. Both groups have similar risk factors with a similar prognosis.

Aged↗

[Orthostatic hypotension with repeated bilateral limb shaking and metamorphopsia. A case of hemodynamic transient ischemic attacks].

A 78-year-old right-handed man with idiopathic orthostatic hypotension and a history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis presented over 2 years with recurrent, stereotyped attacks of bilateral limb shaking and metamorphopsia, which were precipitated by standing more than 3 or 4 minutes, or walking a few meters. These symptoms would resolve upon squatting or lying down and did not occur spontaneously at rest. He did not lose consciousness during the attacks. Speech, power, and sensation were preserved during these attacks. He had no history of seizures or habit of smoking. On examination, his supine blood pressure was 110/60 mmHg, and 62/27 mmHg on standing, with the pulse rate being 61/min and 66/min, respectively. Although he showed orthostatic hypotension, he did not complain of fainting or lightheadedness on standing alone. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed mild periventricular white matter changes and multiple small ischemic lesions bilaterally in the cerebral deep white matter. An electroencephalogram (EEG) showed mild, generalized slowing of nonspecific feature. EEG monitoring during a limb shaking episode showed no epileptiform abnormalities. Cerebral angiogram revealed a moderate degree of stenosis of the left internal carotid and a mild degree of stenosis of the right internal carotid, the right vertebral arteries and the left vertebral arteries. A single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) showed a moderate compromise of perfusion of the left internal carotid territory. After managing both hypotension and orthostatic hypotension with antihypotensive medication and levothyroxine sodium, his symptoms dramatically disappeared. Thus, we diagnosed that transient hemodynamic insufficiency due to combination of vascular stenosis and hypotension was the cause of these symptoms. Limb shaking is a well-described presentation of carotid artery occlusive disease and is usually unilateral. Bilateral limb shaking is rare and only 2 cases have been reported. Metamorphopsia is also a rare symptom of vertebrobasilar ischemia. We suggest that bilateral limb shaking correlates with hypoperfusion in the anterior border zones and metamorphopsia with that in the posterior border zones of both hemispheres. Hemodynamic TIA should be considered as a cause of movement disorders affecting four limbs.

Aged↗

Crescendo transient ischemic attacks: a surgical imperative. Veterans Affairs trialists.

PURPOSE: In a randomized, prospective, multicenter trial at 16 medical centers, 189 of 5000 patients screened with cerebrovascular disease were identified as having angiographic internal carotid artery stenosis (> 50%) corresponding to presenting symptoms of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), transient monocular blindness, or recent, minor completed stroke. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to carotid endarterectomy plus the best medical care (n = 91) versus the best medical care alone (n = 98). RESULTS: After 1 year there was a significant reduction in stroke or crescendo attacks in the 91 patients who received carotid endarterectomy (7.7%) compared with 98 patients who did not undergo operation (19.4%) (p = 0.011). Twelve (12%) of the 98 patients with symptomatic carotid stenosis treated medically had crescendo TIAs, four had minor strokes, and three had major strokes. Crescendo TIAs were defined as disabling, recurrent transient cerebral or retinal ischemia characterized by an increased frequency, duration, or severity of events. The average time from randomization until the onset of crescendo TIAs was 2 months. Seven of the 12 patients in whom crescendo TIAs developed had stenosis greater than 90%, one had greater than 80% stenosis, and four had between 70% and 80% stenosis, with one of these four having contralateral occlusion. Another three patients had 50% or greater contralateral occlusion. Patients with crescendo TIAs were offered carotid endarterectomy, and all 12 had an uncomplicated, urgent procedure. On follow-up the 12 patients were symptom free at the study conclusion. CONCLUSIONS: Crescendo TIAs are disabling symptoms that occur in patients with high-grade carotid stenoses often within 3 months of the initial symptoms of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The 12% of medically treated patients in whom crescendo TIAs developed had carotid endarterectomy, which abolished symptoms on follow-up.

Blindness↗