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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Life history of patients with transient ischemic attacks and essentially normal angiograms
Insights
Patients experiencing multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) with normal angiograms face a higher risk of stroke. This study highlights that TIAs with normal angiograms are not as benign as previously thought, necessitating close patient observation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Neurology
- Cerebrovascular Disease
Background:
- Hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) are often evaluated with angiography.
- Previous studies suggested a benign prognosis for TIAs with normal angiograms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with hemispheric TIAs and normal angiograms.
- To identify risk factors for recurrent cerebrovascular events in this patient cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 83 patients (43 women, 40 men) with hemispheric TIAs and normal angiograms.
- Follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 132 months.
- Categorization based on single versus multiple TIAs prior to evaluation.
Main Results:
- Six patients experienced a cerebrovascular accident (stroke) during follow-up.
- Five patients had additional hemispheric TIAs.
- Patients with multiple prior TIAs showed an increased risk of subsequent stroke or TIA.
Conclusions:
- The prognosis for hemispheric TIAs with normal angiograms is less benign than previously reported.
- Multiple TIAs before initial evaluation identify patients at higher risk for future events.
- Close monitoring of patients with hemispheric TIAs and normal angiograms is recommended.
Abstract:
Eighty-three patients, 43 women and 40 men, with hemispheric transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and normal angiograms were studied. Fifty-two of the patients had a single episode of transient ischemia, whereas 31 had multiple episodes prompting initial evaluation. Follow-up ranging from 3 to 132 months was obtained for all patients. In this period, six patients suffered a cerebrovascular accident and five had further hemispheric TIAs. These results are in contrast to our earlier data, which suggested a benign prognosis in this group of patients. Results of this updated study show that the prognosis of patients with hemispheric TIAs and normal angiograms is not so benign as originally reported. Those patients with multiple events before initial evaluation are at increased risk of subsequent cerebrovascular accident or TIA. Close observation of this group of patients is recommended.
