Transient Ischaemic Attack

Overview

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is generally considered to be the most important risk factor of stroke. Risk of recurrence of stroke after TIA is up to 25 per cent during the first five years after TIA and higher if other vascular risks are present. It is very difficult to diagnose TIA, symptoms of TIA are very transient. There are also many conditions which can cause transient focal neurological symptoms which mimic transient ischaemic attacks or stroke.The author points out the basic characteristics of TIA and the problem of differential diagnosis of this disease. He describes logical steps of establishment of TIA diagnosis. The reliability of diagnosis is very low. The author proves this fact by a retrospective analysis of his 39 patients with TIA who were admitted to the Teaching Hospital in Ostrava-Poruba between May and December 1999.The author also recommends the procedures for prevention of stroke.v

Key words:
transient ischaemic attack - focal neurological symptoms - the reliability of diagnosis - risk of relapse of stroke - vascular risks - prevention