About 20% of strokes, one of the leading causes of death and disability, are preceded by transient ischemic attacks (TIA). By definition, TIA is “a transient episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischemia, without acute infarction.” Although no visible damage on imaging, an actual injury may occur during TIA which fades boundaries between a minor stroke and a TIA. Despite transient deficits during TIA, it increases the risk of subsequent devastating outcomes such as recurrent TIA, stroke, myocardial infarction, cognitive deficits, and death. Hence, TIA creates an opportunity for prompt evaluation and management of patients to prevent adverse outcomes.
When evaluating a patient with suspected TIA, it should be differentiated from its non-ischemic mimics to decrease the rate of unnecessary hospitalization and optimize healthcare utilization. Without an available diagnostic standard, low consensus exists regarding the diagnosis of TIA even among stroke specialists. Differentiating TIA from stroke is also critical to prevent aggressive treatment such as thrombolysis. Based on the risk of subsequent stroke, patients should be triaged for specialized inpatient or outpatient management. Among available risk stratification tools, the ABCD2 score is the most widely used tool. However, the reliability and predictive ability of this score have been questioned. Variations in location, timing, and the components of current TIA care models leave clinicians with doubts when caring for a patient with TIA. In the era of advanced neuroimaging and laboratory techniques, further research into novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers will greatly improve clinical decision-making.
This Research Topic is aimed to cover all aspects of TIA in terms of revaluation of the definition,
diagnostic and prognostic evaluation, secondary preventive therapy, long-term management strategy, and outcome. The types of articles that are welcomed include but are not limited to Original Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Commentaries, and Opinions on TIA. Please be informed that Case reports would not be considered.
Manuscripts with the main focus on the following themes are especially welcome, hoping to guide us toward a more efficient care model for TIA:
• Presentations of TIA in different vascular territories
• TIA mimics and differentiative features
• Characteristics and risk factors of high-risk TIA
• Risk stratification tools
• Blood and neuroimaging biomarkers
• Secondary preventive therapy
• Long-term outcomes
About 20% of strokes, one of the leading causes of death and disability, are preceded by transient ischemic attacks (TIA). By definition, TIA is “a transient episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischemia, without acute infarction.” Although no visible damage on imaging, an actual injury may occur during TIA which fades boundaries between a minor stroke and a TIA. Despite transient deficits during TIA, it increases the risk of subsequent devastating outcomes such as recurrent TIA, stroke, myocardial infarction, cognitive deficits, and death. Hence, TIA creates an opportunity for prompt evaluation and management of patients to prevent adverse outcomes.
When evaluating a patient with suspected TIA, it should be differentiated from its non-ischemic mimics to decrease the rate of unnecessary hospitalization and optimize healthcare utilization. Without an available diagnostic standard, low consensus exists regarding the diagnosis of TIA even among stroke specialists. Differentiating TIA from stroke is also critical to prevent aggressive treatment such as thrombolysis. Based on the risk of subsequent stroke, patients should be triaged for specialized inpatient or outpatient management. Among available risk stratification tools, the ABCD2 score is the most widely used tool. However, the reliability and predictive ability of this score have been questioned. Variations in location, timing, and the components of current TIA care models leave clinicians with doubts when caring for a patient with TIA. In the era of advanced neuroimaging and laboratory techniques, further research into novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers will greatly improve clinical decision-making.
This Research Topic is aimed to cover all aspects of TIA in terms of revaluation of the definition,
diagnostic and prognostic evaluation, secondary preventive therapy, long-term management strategy, and outcome. The types of articles that are welcomed include but are not limited to Original Articles, Reviews, Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, Commentaries, and Opinions on TIA. Please be informed that Case reports would not be considered.
Manuscripts with the main focus on the following themes are especially welcome, hoping to guide us toward a more efficient care model for TIA:
• Presentations of TIA in different vascular territories
• TIA mimics and differentiative features
• Characteristics and risk factors of high-risk TIA
• Risk stratification tools
• Blood and neuroimaging biomarkers
• Secondary preventive therapy
• Long-term outcomes