The risk of stroke within a week of minor stroke or transient ischemic attack

Emergency medicine updates: Transient ischemic attack

INTRODUCTION

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a condition commonly evaluated for in the emergency department (ED). Therefore, it is important for emergency clinicians to be aware of the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and management of this disease.

OBJECTIVE

This paper evaluates key evidence-based updates concerning TIA for the emergency clinician.

DISCUSSION

TIA is a harbinger of ischemic stroke and can result from a variety of pathologic causes. While prior definitions incorporated symptoms resolving within 24 h, modern definitions recommend a tissue-based definition utilizing advanced imaging to evaluate for neurologic injury and the etiology. In the ED, emergent evaluation includes assessing for current signs and symptoms of neurologic dysfunction, appropriate imaging to investigate for minor stroke or stroke risk, and arranging appropriate disposition and follow up to mitigate risk of subsequent ischemic stroke. Imaging should include evaluation of great vessels and intracranial arteries, as well as advanced cerebral imaging to evaluate for minor or subclinical stroke. Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) has limited utility for this situation; it can rule out hemorrhage or a large mass causing symptoms but should not be relied on for any definitive diagnosis. Noninvasive imaging of the cervical vessels can also be used (CT angiography or Doppler ultrasound). Treatment includes antithrombotic medications if there are no contraindications. Dual antiplatelet therapy may reduce the risk of recurrent ischemic events in higher risk patients, while anticoagulation is recommended in patients with a cardioembolic source. A variety of scoring systems or tools are available that seek to predict stroke risk after a TIA. The Canadian TIA risk score appears to have the best diagnostic accuracy. However, these scores should not be used in isolation. Disposition may include admission, management in an ED-based observation unit with rapid diagnostic protocol, or expedited follow-up in a specialty clinic.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of literature updates concerning TIA can improve the ED care of patients with TIA.

Rapid access point of care clinic for transient ischemic attacks and minor strokes

We present 24months of prospective data from a new model of care for transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and minor stroke, established at the Royal North Shore Hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Prior to 2011, approximately 200 patients were admitted to our emergency department (ED) annually, following presentation with a suspected TIA. These patients had an average length of stay of 5.3days. Following the establishment of a twice weekly multidisciplinary, one stop, stroke prevention and hospital avoidance clinic, all patients with suspected TIA were investigated and treated as outpatients. There was an average time to clinic from the initial presentation in the ED of 3.9days. Symptoms that were highly suggestive of TIA were seen in 47% of patients, and an additional 14% had MRI-confirmed acute stroke. In total, 405 patients were referred to the clinic, saving 2146.5 inpatient bed days and approximately AUD$1,180,575. Our model of care for patients with suspected TIA provides early access for investigation, treatment and management of the risk factors. The rapid access TIA clinic is highly cost effective and provides a transferable model of care for other health districts with similar patient loads and cost structures.

The association between patients' beliefs about medicines and adherence to drug treatment after stroke: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

OBJECTIVES

Adherence to preventive drug treatment is a clinical problem and we hypothesised that patients' beliefs about medicines and stroke are associated with adherence. The objective was to examine associations between beliefs of patients with stroke about stroke and drug treatment and their adherence to drug treatment.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey.

SETTING

Patients with stroke from 25 Swedish hospitals were included.

MEASUREMENTS

Questionnaires were sent to 989 patients to assess their perceptions about stroke (Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Brief IPQ), beliefs about medicines (Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaires, BMQ) and adherence to treatment (Medication Adherence Report Scale, MARS) 3 months after stroke onset. Only patients living at home were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was self-reported adherence as measured on MARS. MARS scores were dichotomised into adherent/non-adherent. Background and clinical data from the Swedish Stroke register were included.

RESULTS

811 patients were still living at home and 595 answered the questionnaire. Complete MARS data were available for 578 patients and 72 (12.5%) of these were classified as non-adherent. Non-adherent patients scored lower on positive beliefs as measured on BMQ-necessity (OR = 0.90, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.98) and BMQ-benefit (OR=0.77, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.87), and higher on negative beliefs as measured on BMQ-concern (OR=1.12, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.21), BMQ-overuse (OR=1.29, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.45), and BMQ-harm (OR=1.12, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.24). The Brief IPQ showed that non-adherent patients believed their current treatment to be less useful (p=0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed associations between beliefs of Swedish patients with stroke about medicines and adherence. Positive beliefs were less common and negative more common among non-adherent. To improve adherence, patients' beliefs about medicines should be considered.

Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery vascular hyperintensities: an important imaging marker for cerebrovascular disease

Vascular hyperintensities have been noted on FLAIR sequences obtained in the setting of acute stroke and intracranial steno-occlusive disease. The presence of FVHs likely represents disordered blood flow, often from collaterals distal to arterial occlusion or stenosis. As opposed to other vessel signs seen in arterial insufficiency, FVH is unique in that it does not represent thrombus, but rather sluggish or disordered blood flow through vessels. This review will discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of FVH and its impact on clinical decision-making.