Acute treatment of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke

I Acute treatment of transient ischemic attack and minor stroke 

Another important difference is the extent of the evidence base for treatments in major stroke compared with TIA and minor stroke. The concepts of stroke units and administration of thrombolysis have been researched, developed and implemented since the 1980s for patients with major stroke. Yet, although the concept of TIA arose in the 1950s and treatments such as carotid endarterectomy, anticoagulation, antiplatelet therapy and other risk factor management were subsequently proven effective, it was not until 2007 that the first reports were published on the feasibility and effectiveness of urgent assessment and treatment of TIA in specialist units (Rothwell et al. 2007 Lavallfe et al. 2007). 

This chapter will summarize the aspects of acute treatment that are specific to TIA and minor stroke. 

The urgent management of patients with minor stroke or TIA depends upon the correct recognition of symptoms and appropriate action by patients and their swift triage to specialist care where investigation and treatment are rapidly initiated. 

In contrast to major stroke, where extensive studies have examined knowledge among the general public (Pancioli et al. 1998 Reeves et al. 2002 Parahoo et al. 2003 Carroll et al. 2004) and individuals immediate behavior (Salisbury et al. 1998 Smith et al. 1998 Evenson et al. 2001 Lacy et al. 2001 Harraf et al. 2002), equivalent studies in minor stroke and TIA are lacking. 

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