Introduction/Objectives:
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a medical emergency indicating unstable brain ischemia with high risk of imminent stroke and requires immediate assessment and treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze the possible etiological factors of carotid transient ischemic attacks.
Participants, Materials/Methods:
For the purpose of this study we use the traditional definition of TIA based on symptom duration and not on the presence of brain infraction on the brain imaging. During the 1-year period 108 patients (69 men and 39 women) were analyzed in Department of Neurology Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka.
Results:
Our results show a male predominance (male 64%, female 36%). The principal risk factors like arterial hypertension had 71% patients, smoking 64% patients, hyperlipidemia 51% patients and diabetes mellitus 8% of patients. Among these patients, 30% of them had ipsilateral stenosis and 9% had ipsilateral occlusion or subocclusion of extracranial carotid arteries. The possible cardiac embolic pathogenic mechanism among our patients (including atrial fibrillation, which is most common, mitral stenosis, myocardial infarct, mitral insufficiency, open foramen ovale and combined mitral valve defects) is found in 9% of TIAs.
Conclusions:
Although by definition TIA's cause no residual disability, they indicate an imminent high risk of a more serious cerebrovascular and cardiovascular event. Therefore, patients risk factors should be identified and appropriate action should be taken to reduce the patient's overall vascular risk.
