BMJ  2004;328 (7 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7435.0-c

Risk of stroke after TIA or minor stroke is unexpectedly high

The early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is much higher than commonly quoted. A prospective cohort study carried out by Coull and colleagues (p 326) included 87 patients who had had a TIA and 87 who had had a minor stroke. The estimated risk of stroke in these patients was 8-12% at seven days, 11-15% at one month, and 17-18.5% at three months. If the maximum recommended time for clinic appointment—two weeks—recommended by the British guidelines is followed, say the authors, a considerable number of patients will have a stroke; patients should be seen within the first few hours or days.

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Relevant Article

Population based study of early risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack or minor stroke: implications for public education and organisation of services

A J Coull, J K Lovett, and P M Rothwell
BMJ 2004 328: 326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]