Transient Ischemic Attacks

Question 1

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (T.I.A.)

What’s the definition?

How long can it last?

Answer 1

as episodes of neurologic ysfunction which are of duration (min) & resemble stroke presentation. - Strongly suggestive of a focus or impaired artery

as long as 24h

Question 2

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (T.I.A.)

How long does it last if the attack involves carotid arteries?

How long does it last if the attack involves the basilar-vertebral arteries?

Answer 2

14min

7min

Question 3

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (T.I.A.)

What’s the onset and is it reversible?

Answer 3

weeks or even a year - prior to the stroke

Yes

Question 4

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (T.I.A.)

Carotid & Cerebral Arteries - clinical presentation?

Answer 4

Hemiplegia (#1 sign with strokes)

Ipsilateral facial

Contralateral body

Hemianopsia

Hemianesthesia

Dysphasia (speach)

Confusion

Question 5

TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACKS (T.I.A.)

Vertebrobasilar Arteries - clinical presentation

Answer 5

Vertigo (dizziness)

Diplopia (double vision)

Parasthesia (Numbness)

Visual defects in 1 or more fields

Dysarthrias (speech difficulty due to paralysis)

Question 6

ARTERIAL SPASM

What is it?

Answer 6

a (rare) diffuse spasm of cerebral arterioles seen in hypertensive crisis

if it persists then the pt may be disabled

Question 7

REVERSIBLE ISCHEMIC NEUROLOGICAL DEFICIT

Known as R.I.N.D - what’s the cause and duration?

When does it peak?

Answer 7

possibly edema - leads to ischemia

24h - 7 days with some reports of 3-4 months

72hours hopefully resolved by 7 days