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. Presentations which can mimic TIA or Stroke are described with a focus on recognition and use of assessment tools as FAST and ROSIER ( several other tools also exist ). Management of TIA based on the ABCD risk scoring is shown in greater detail. The reader is advised to consider discussing DVLA guidance and complications of stroke are mentioned ( encountered frequently ). The charity stroke association can be a useful tool in advising patients in a post stroke scenario.
Stroke-Clinical syndrome consisting of rapidly developing clinical signs of focal ( at times global ) disturbance of cerebral function lasting more than 24 hrs or leading to death with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin
TIA-Acute loss of focal cerebral or ocular function with symptoms lasting less than 24 hrs and which is thought to be due to inadequate cerebral or ocular blood supply as a result of low blood flow , thrombosis or embolism associated with diseases of the blood vessel , heart or blood ( Hankey and Warlow 1994 ) Tissue based definition ( event lasting less than 1 hour without cerebral infarction ) on MRI brain scan requires early scanning and is thus limited in generalisability TIA is associated with a very high risk of stroke in the first month after the event and upto 1 year afterwards
Major health problem in UK Most people survive a first stroke but often have significant morbidity In England estimated cost to economy is around £8 billion / year This burden will increase as population demographics change Over 80,000 people in England and Wales are admitted with acute stroke each year Use of term CVA should be abandoned as it implies that the stroke is a chance event for which little can be done Brain attack – an alternative term used to describe the acute presentation of stroke and TIA ( it removes the requirement for a delay of 24 hrs to diagnose stroke )
Risk factors-Smoking Alcohol and drug abuse Physical inactivity poor diet.Hypertension Permanent and Paroxysmal AF estimated that AF causes more than 20 % of ischaemic strokes Infective endocarditis Valvular disease Carotid artery disease Congestive cardiac failure Congenital or structural heart disease including patent foramen ovale Age Gender Men ↑ likely to suffer with stroke at younger age Women ↑ risk with COCP use , migraine with aura , immediate post-partum period and pre-eclampsia Hyperlipidaemia Diabetes mellitus Sickle cell disease Antiphospholipid syndrome and other hypercoagulable disorders CKD Obstructive sleep apnoea independent risk factor + usually associated with other comorbidities
Presentation with sudden onset and cannot be explained by another condition such as hypoglycaemia Unilateral weakness or sensory loss Dysphasia Ataxia , vertigo or in-coordination Syncope Amaurosis fugax- sudden transient loss of vision in one eye Homonympus hemianopia Cranial nerve defects TIA may only last minutes and symptoms often resolve before patient is seen. Collateral history is important. R/O TIA Mimics Migraine aura Seizure Syncope Functional or anxiety related Vestibular disorders Metabolic eg hypoglycaemia Delirium eg sepsis Suspected TIA- all patients who have ongoing symptoms however mild are considered to have had stroke and urgent transfer to hospital should be arranged Confusion , altered level of consciousness and coma Headache – sudden severe and unusual headache which may be associated with neck stiffness Sentinel headache(s) may occur in the preceding weeks Weakness – sudden loss of strength in the face or limbs Sensory loss- paraesthesia or numbness Speech problems as dysarthria Visual problems – visual loss or diplopia Dizziness ,vertigo or loss of balance isolated dizziness usually not a symptom of TIA Nausea and / or vomiting Cranial nerve deficits as ○ unilateral tongue weakness ○ Horner’s syndrome – miosis , ptosis and facial anhidrosis Difficulty with fine motor co-ordination gait Neck facial pain ( arterial dissection ) Post circulation stroke – acute vestibular syndrome ○ acute persistent , continuous vertigo or dizziness with nystagmus , nausea or vomiting ○ head motion intolerance and ○ new gait unsteadiness
ABCD2 score-Age – 60 yrs and older ( 1 point ) Blood pressure Systolic >= 140 ( 1 point ) Diastolic >= 90 ( i point ) Clinical features Any unilateral weakness ( 2 points ) Speech impairment without weakness ( 1 point ) Duration 60 minutes or more (2 points ) 10-59 minutes ( 1 point ) Diabetes mellitis ( 1 point )
Suspected stroke-Confusion , altered level of consciousness and coma Headache – sudden severe and unusual headache which may be associated with neck stiffness Sentinel headache(s) may occur in the preceding weeks Weakness – sudden loss of strength in the face or limbs Sensory loss- paraesthesia or numbness Speech problems as dysarthria Visual problems – visual loss or diplopia Dizziness ,vertigo or loss of balance isolated dizziness usually not a symptom of TIA Nausea and / or vomiting Cranial nerve deficits as ○ unilateral tongue weakness ○ Horner’s syndrome – miosis , ptosis and facial anhidrosis Difficulty with fine motor co-ordination gait Neck facial pain ( arterial dissection ) Post circulation stroke – acute vestibular syndrome ○ acute persistent , continuous vertigo or dizziness with nystagmus , nausea or vomiting ○ head motion intolerance and ○ new gait unsteadiness Mimics-Seizure Sepsis Toxic/ metabolic Space occupying lesion Syncope Delirium Vestibular Mononeuropathy Functional Dementia Migraine Spinal cord lesions Other
FAST test- Facial asymmetry- 1 pt Arm weakness 1 pt Speech disturbance – 1 pt Time Some people with stroke with not be identified by FAST test eg ○ sudden onset visual disturbance ○ lateralising cerebral dysfunction Continue to treat as having a suspected stroke if suspected despite a negative FAST test-Emergency hospital admission to stroke unit Explain to the ambulance staff about situation Inform the hospital in advance Do not start antiplatelet treatment until haemorrhagic stroke has been r/o While awaiting transfer ○ monitor ABC ○ give oxygen if saturation < 95 % and no CIs If not admitted ( not beneficial / appropriate ) ○ document clearly ○ discuss with specialist team and possible assessment and management at home or as Outpatient within 24 hrs
Complications of stroke-Early period following stroke ○ haemorrhagic transformation of ischaemic stroke ○ cerebral oedema ○ seizures ○ VTE – PE in 13 – 25 % of deaths ○ cardiac problems MI , CCF , AF and arrthymias ○ Infection – aspiration pneumonia , UTI and cellulitis from pressure sores Long term ○ Mobility problems Hemiparesis or hemiplegia ( affects about 80 % of people with stroke ) Ataxia -lack of co-ordinated movement Falls Spasticity and contractures ○ Sensory problems- altered sensation as touch , temp and pain ○ Continence problems Urinary and fecal incontinence is common following stroke ○ Pain ○ Fatigue ○ Swallowing hydration nutrition problems swallowing impairment common ○ Sexual dysfunction ○ Skin problems – pressure sores ○ Visual problems -altered acuity , hemianopia , diplopia , nystagmus and blurred vision ○ Cognitive problems ○ Emotional and psychological problems ○ Communication problems ○ Difficulties with activities of daily living ○ Loss of income
References
- Diagnosis and management of transient ischaemic attack and ischaemic stroke in the acute phase BMJ 2011 ; 342 :d 1938
- National Clinical Guideline Centre (UK). Stroke Rehabilitation: Long Term Rehabilitation After Stroke [Internet]. London: Royal College of Physicians (UK); 2013 May 23. (NICE Clinical Guidelines, No. 162.) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK247494/
- BCGuideline.ca Stroke and Transient Ischaemic Attack-Acute and Long-Term Management Guideline and Protocol Advisory Committee https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/practitioner-pro/bc-guidelines/stroketia_2015_full.pdf
- Neurology for General Practitioners -E Book-Roy G Beran
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Diagnosis and initial management of transient ischaemic attack DOI: https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.10-2-164
- More than half the stroke patients were not given preventative drugs , study finds BMJ 2016 ; 355 :i6105
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Transient ischaemic attacks: mimics and chameleons