dont ignore transient ischemic attack
DESCRIPTION
Dr Avinash.KM is a Neurosurgeon with advanced training in Interventional vascular Neurosurgery(FINR) from Zurich, Switzerland, and FMINS-Fellowship in minimally invasive and Endoscopic Neurosurgery from Germany. He is presently working in Columbia asia hospitals, Bangalore. His main areas of interest are Vascular Neurosurgery, Stroke specialist, interventional neuroradiology, Endovascular Neurosurgery, Endoscopic and minimally invasive Neurosurgery, Endoscopic spine surgery.He has advanced training in both Brain Aneurysm coiling and clipping, Brain AVM embolizations and its surgical removal, carotid artery stenting and carotid endarterectomy. Since he is trained both in open microvascular Neurosurgery and in Interventional Neurosurgery he helps patients in choosing the right treatment options for brain vascular diseases with out any bias of one treatment over the other.TRANSCRIPT
Don’t ignore Transient Ischemic Attack(TIA)-Mini Stroke
Dr. Avinash KMMS, MRCS Ed(UK), Mch (KEM, Mumbai), FINR(Switzerland), FMINS(Germany),
• Interventional & Neurovascular surgeon and Stroke specialist, • Endoscopic Neuro and Spine surgeon, • Minimally invasive Neuro and Spine surgeon (FMINS).
mob: 9740866228, E mail: [email protected]
Consultant Neurosurgeon and Neurointerventionist
Columbia Asia Hospital, Bangalore.
What is TIA?A transient ischemic attack (also called TIA or "mini-
stroke") is one of the most important warning signs of a stroke.
A TIA occurs when a blood supply to the brain is momentarily blocked by a blood clot/ or reduced flow due to block in blood vessels, which supply blood to brain.
The symptoms of a TIA, which are temporary and may last a few seconds to minutes.
A TIA is a medical emergency, since it is impossible to predict if it will progress into a major stroke. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, get emergency help .
Immediate treatment can save your life or increase your chance of a full recovery.
What are the causes of TIA?
What are the risk factors for TIA?
How to assess risk of TIA/ Stroke?Assess yourself. Depending on risk group in which you fall, treatment can be offered
Are you at risk?
If you have more than 3 risk factors in the high risk block (red coloured column) then u should consult stroke specialist.
If you have 4 to 6 factors in yellow column then you should work on some of life change modifications.
What are the clinical features?
These symptoms shown in diagram are transient lasting for few seconds to few minutes. Many of us don’t give attention to these symptoms. Getting Transient giddiness, visual blockout, headache is common to everyone. It doesnot mean everyone has to rush to the hospital. People who have risk factors who develop these symptoms should have a immediate check up. Risk group who need check up - Next slide
Who should visit if they have TIA symptoms?
Following are the people who should be ALERT if they develop these symptoms
• Family history of atherosclerosis (either carotid artery disease or coronary artery disease or elsewhere in the vascular system)
• Age: Over 55 years of age• High levels of cholesterol in blood test.• Smoking• High blood pressure (hypertension)• Diabetes• Obesity• Sedentary lifestyle
Some times people have TIA and fall & have head injury and come for head injury. Its important to have detailed history and the circumstances of fall.
Why treating TIA is important?TIA can precede stroke, with short-term stroke
risk being particularly high, exceeding 10% in 90 days and studies confirm the elevation of that risk into the long term.
The timing of a TIA before stroke is highly time dependent, with studies showing 17% occurring on the day of the stroke, 9% within the previous day, and another 43% within the previous week. So identification of TIA is important and urgent evaluation of TIA and immediate initiation of treatment reduces stroke risk.
How to investigate TIA?• Detailed history• Blood investigations - Lipid profile
- coagulation profile
- for diabetes• ECG• Echo in some patients.• Carotid and vertebral Doppler study.• MR angiogram in selected patients specially in Asian
subcontinent where chance of intracranial vascular occlusion is high.
• CT angiogram if MRA not available.
What are the treatments available for TIA?
Your treatment for a TIA may include taking medicines to prevent a stroke or having surgery to reopen narrow arteries.
Medicines may include Aspirin, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, with aspirin, or warfarin
If your carotid arteries/ intracranial arteries are significantly blocked, you may need surgery/ endovascular treatment to reopen the narrowed arteries.
If cardiac conditions are the cause, may need appropriate treatment.
Prevention of TIA or stroke:The most important thing to do is BE HEALTHY. Most of the
things on the following list follow common sense:
• Don’t smoke• Keep your blood pressure under control• Keep your cholesterol within a normal range• Eat a well balanced diet with foods high in fiber and low in
saturated (animal) fats, as well as a lot of fruits and vegetables• Maintain a healthy weight• Do not drink more than in moderation if you choose to drink• Exercise regularly• Don’t do illegal drugs• Keep stress levels under control
TIAs are strong predictors of future strokes; a person who has experienced a TIA is 10 times more likely to suffer a major stroke than someone who has not experienced a TIA.