Term
| History for onset and timing of TIA |
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Definition
"Can you describe exactly what happened when the symptoms started? Was it sudden or gradual?"
"What time did the symptoms begin, and how long did they last (minutes/hours)?"
"Was your wife doing anything specific at the time (e.g., exercising, eating, resting)?" |
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Term
| What are the questions to ask for the symptoms? |
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Definition
"Did she experience weakness/numbness on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg)?"
"Did she have slurred speech, difficulty understanding others, or trouble swallowing?"
"Were there vision changes, like blurriness, double vision, or temporary blindness in one eye?"
"Did she complain of dizziness, loss of balance, or confusion?"
Recovery:
"Did the symptoms resolve completely? If yes, how long did that take?" |
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Term
| Do patient`s symptoms help to distinguish between a haemorrhagic and an ischaemic stroke. |
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Definition
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Term
| Provided the patient is stable what is the best initial diagnostic step |
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Definition
| Non contrast CT of the head. |
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Term
| Important Past Medical history for stroke TIA |
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Definition
Cardiovascular Risk Factors:
"Has she been diagnosed with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol?"
"How are these conditions managed (e.g., diet, medications like metformin/insulin)?"
"Does she take her medications regularly?"
Cardiac History:
"Has she ever had atrial fibrillation, heart valve disease, or a heart attack?"
"Has she had recent surgeries or prolonged bed rest (risk of blood clots)?"
Prior Neurological Events:
"Has she had previous TIAs, strokes, or ministrokes? If yes, how were they treated?"
Medications:
"Is she taking blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin)?"
"Does she use hormonal therapy (e.g., birth control, HRT)?" |
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Term
| What is the ABCDE2 score? What is it used for |
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Definition
Symbol Clinical feature Criterion Point
A Age >= 60= 1
B Blood pressure >= 140/90 mmHg= 1
C Clinical features of the TIA unilateral weakness= 2
speech disturbance without weakness= 1
D1 Duration of symptoms >= 60 min =2
10-59 min =1
<10 min =0
D2 Diabetes diagnosed with diabetes?= 1
Total score determines 7d risk and Management.
<4 Urgent out-patient ‘TIA clinic’ follow-up (1wk)
4 and above: admit and TIA Clinic appointment within 24 hours. |
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Term
| What is the difference between stroke and TIA |
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Definition
TIA symptoms
typically resolve within 60 min and by definition
within 24 hours. |
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Term
| Investigations in TIA/Stroke |
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Definition
Non contrast CT Head
Carotid Doppler
CT Angiogram
MRI Brain
CBC
ECG
Glucose
PT/PTTR
LFT
ESR
Lipid /Cholesterol |
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Term
| Definition of amaurosis fugax |
|
Definition
Ipsilateral transient
monocular blindness |
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|
Term
| Which TIA is associated with vertigo? |
|
Definition
| Vertebrobasilar artery TIA |
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Term
| Safety Netting if Patient is discharged home |
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Definition
If your wife has any facial problem, arm weakness, slurred speech please dial 999 and ask
for the ambulance immediately (FAST). Also severe headache. |
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Term
|
Definition
You should not use tobacco products
or eat a high-fat diet. These can
cause blood vessel disease and
increase your risk of having a stroke.
Comply with your medications.
Don`t drive inform DVLA. |
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Term
| Surgery (carotid endoarterectomy) may be needed to ......... |
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Definition
.........open
severely blocked carotid arteries (over 70% blockage). |
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