Is Transient Ischemic Attack a Medical Emergency? An Evidence-Based Analysis

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of dysfunction in a confined area of the brain. The risk of stroke following TIA is approximately 4% within the first 2 days and 9% within the first month. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment is critical to reduce mortality and risk of stroke in patients who have experienced a TIA.

This systematic review aimed to investigate the impact of the urgent evaluation and initiation of treatment of patients with TIA on the risk of subsequent stroke and death.

A literature search was performed for studies published from January 1, 2007, until December 21, 2012. The search was updated monthly to April 1, 2013.

All identified studies showed that urgent assessment and initiation of treatment of TIA is an effective strategy in reducing the incidence of stroke. Among these, a large observational study found a large effect in that the risk of stroke was reduced by 80%, and a Canadian study found that providing urgent care significantly reduced the rate of stroke in high-risk patients. Another Canadian study reported a significant reduction in the rate of death among patients referred to stroke prevention clinics, compared to patients not referred to such services. One study showed that patients discharged from an emergency department with standard care had significantly higher rates of stroke and subsequent TIA in the first month, compared to those who were hospitalized. However, another study showed that for patients at low to moderate risk, rate of stroke was similar between inpatients and those managed in a TIA clinic.

Our analysis was restricted to the effect of the combined interventions. The magnitude of benefit of each individual component of the intervention cannot be determined through this review.

The results of this systematic review have important clinical and health system implications. Urgent management of TIA patients in specialized TIA clinics rather than regular practice results in a lower rate of stroke and disability.