TIAs and Stroke Prevention | Rapid Assessment, Urgent Treatment – MM1607
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is a transient neurovascular event that resolves within 24 hours without acute infarction on MRI. Urgent investigations for TIA or stroke should include: imaging of the brain; imaging of the carotid and vertebral arteries; 12-channel ECG and Holter monitoring; transthoracic echocardiography; blood pressure, fasting lipids and glucose measurements. The American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) have updated their guidelines on primary and secondary stroke prevention, focusing on lifestyle changes and management of hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes. The targets for primary prevention are less strict than for secondary prevention but the same principles for treatment and lifestyle changes apply.
Modern Medicine – July 2016
