TIA

• What are some bedside investigations for TIA?


  Urgent stroke specialist assessment (if TIA in the last week)

  Specialist assessment within 7 days (if TIA over a week ago)

  Possible admission if more than 1 previous TIA
• How is a TIA managed surgically?


  Carotid endarterectomy if carotid stenosis
• What % of patients have a TIA/stroke in the carotid territory?


  70
• What is a TIA?


  Brief period of neurological deficit due to a vascular cause lasting less than an hour
• What are some signs and symptoms of a TIA?


  Aphasia/dysarthria

  Ataxia

  Vertigo

  Loss of balance

  Unilateral weakness

  Sensory loss

  Visual problems
• What visual problems can occur in a TIA?


  Sudden transient loss of vision in one eye

  Homonymous hemianopia

  Diplopia
• What scans are done for a TIA?


  Urgent carotid doppler (check for atherosclerosis)

  MRI (determine where ischaemia/haemorrhage/pathology is)
• How is a TIA managed pharmacologically?


  Antithrombotic therapy (immediate)

  High intensity statin (reduce non-HDL cholesterol)

  Antiplatelet follow on from initial aspirin therapy
• What are some non-modifiable risk factors for a TIA?


  Age

  Male

  African/afro-caribbean

  Genetics
• What are some modifiable risk factors for TIA?


  Hypertension

  Dyslipidaemia

  Smoking

  Diabetes

  AFib

  Obesity

  Alcohol
• What is the most common underlying cause of TIA?

  Atherosclerosis
• What differentiates a TIA from a stroke?


  TIA = transient

  Stroke = prolonged ischaemia