Transient ischemic attack

"TIA" redirects here. For other uses, see TIA (disambiguation).
Transient ischemic attack
Other namesMini-stroke, mild stroke
SpecialtyNeurology, Vascular surgery
PrognosisSurvival rate ~ 91% (to hospital discharge) 67.2% (five years)[1]

A transient ischemic attack (TIA), commonly known as a mini-stroke, is a minor stroke whose noticeable symptoms usually end in less than an hour. A TIA causes the same symptoms associated with a stroke, such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, sudden dimming or loss of vision, difficulty speaking or understanding language, slurred speech, or confusion.

All forms of stroke, including a TIA, result from a disruption in blood flow to the central nervous system. A TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain, or cerebral blood flow (CBF). The primary difference between a major stroke and the TIA's minor stroke is how much tissue death (infarction) can be detected afterwards through medical imaging. While a TIA must by definition be associated with symptoms, strokes can also be asymptomatic or silent. In a silent stroke, also known as a silent cerebral infarct (SCI), there is permanent infarction detectable on imaging, but there are no immediately observable symptoms. The same person can have major strokes, minor strokes, and silent strokes, in any order.[2]

The occurrence of a TIA is a risk factor for having a major stroke, and many people with TIA have a major stroke within 48 hours of the TIA.[3][4] All forms of stroke are associated with increased risk of death or disability. Recognition that a TIA has occurred is an opportunity to start treatment, including medications and lifestyle changes, to prevent future strokes.

  1. ^ Gattellari M, Goumas C, Garden F, Worthington JM (January 2012). "Relative survival after transient ischaemic attack: results from the Program of Research Informing Stroke Management (PRISM) study". Stroke. 43 (1): 79–85. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.636233. PMID 22076008. S2CID 16722015.
  2. ^ Coutts SB, Hill MD, Simon JE, Sohn CH, Scott JN, Demchuk AM (August 2005). "Silent ischemia in minor stroke and TIA patients identified on MR imaging". Neurology. 65 (4): 513–517. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000169031.39264.ff. PMID 16116107. S2CID 24762370.
  3. ^ Easton JD, Saver JL, Albers GW, Alberts MJ, Chaturvedi S, Feldmann E, et al. (June 2009). "Definition and evaluation of transient ischemic attack: a scientific statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease. The American Academy of Neurology affirms the value of this statement as an educational tool for neurologists". Stroke. 40 (6): 2276–2293. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.192218. PMID 19423857.
  4. ^ Ferro JM, Falcão I, Rodrigues G, Canhão P, Melo TP, Oliveira V, et al. (December 1996). "Diagnosis of transient ischemic attack by the nonneurologist. A validation study". Stroke. 27 (12): 2225–2229. doi:10.1161/01.str.27.12.2225. PMID 8969785.