Non-radiological investigations for transient ischemic attack and stroke

Second-line investigations (Table 13.2) must be targeted appropriately since the likelihood of a relevant result depends on the selection of patients and further investigation will incur more cost. There are numerous rare causes of stroke (Ch. 6) for which highly specialized tests may be required. 

Routine electroencephalography is not indicated in stroke but may be helpful where there is a possibility of encephalitis or generalized encephalopathy, or focal seizure activity. 

It should be noted that there may be transient focal weakness after a seizure Todd s paresis (Ch. 8). 

Temporal artery biopsy may be required in suspected temporal arteritis (Ch. 6). 

Many patients will require cardiac investigation beyond ECG (Table 13.3) although the likelihood of finding a cardiac abnormality on routine transthoracic echocardiography in patients without prior known cardiac abnormality is low (Table 13.4) (Beattie et al. 1998). Patients with a suspected cardiac source of embolism should certainly have transthoracic 

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Non-radiological investigations for transient ischemic attack and stroke... 

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