Assessment and management of transient ischaemic attack — the role of the TIA clinic

Background As the risk of early stroke following transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is increasingly recognised, the management of patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of TIA presents a clinical challenge. Methods Analysis of prospectively collected data on patients referred to a TIA clinic in St. Vincent’s University Hospital, between January 2003 and July 2004. Results One-hundred- and -seventeen (117) patients (mean age 75.5 years) were assessed. The majority (79%) were referred from Accident and Emergency and 61% were seen within one week of referral. Seventy-two patients (62%) had a final diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (56 TIA, 16 completed strokes), of whom five (7%) and four (5.5%) had severe (> 70%) and moderate (> 50%) symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, respectively, whilst seven patients (10%) had newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation, five of whom were anticoagulated. Non-cerebrovascular diagnoses were made in twenty-seven patients (24%). Conclusion A TIA clinic, in co-ordination with Accident & Emergency Services, provides a safe and efficient alternative to hospital admission for patients with TIA symptoms and a low early stroke risk.