Stroke prediction after transient ischemic attacks in patients admitted to a stroke unit.

BACKGROUND: Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) bear a presumed high risk of early recurrence of stroke. Data in the literature, however, are inconsistent, as recurrence rates range from 9.5 to 20%, at 90 days. AIMS: The study was designed to determine the risk of stroke after TIA. METHODS: 94 consecutive patients referred to a Stroke Unit for TIA or minor stroke, within 24 h of symptom onset, were recruited. Eleven of the 94 patients (12%, 95% CI: 7-20%) had a relapse within 90 days. The relapse consisted of a TIA for 9 patients (10%, 95% CI: 5-17%), or of a stroke for 2 subjects (1%, 95% CI: 0-8%). More than a quarter of the relapses occurred within 1 week from the first TIA. ABCD(2), ABCD(2)-I and ABCD-E+ scores were similar among people with or without relapse. CONCLUSIONS: The data seem to confirm previous reports on the relatively low relapse rate for stroke, when TIA patients are promptly assisted in dedicated structures. The findings stress the potential benefit of early intervention in subjects with TIA.