2021-04-29 09:00:00
“The transient ischemic attack (TIA) is the smoke that escapes from the volcano before the eruption. This is the absolute alert! “, says Professor Pierre Amarenco, neurologist. Every year in France, 40,000 people are victims, such as the actress Catherine Deneuve in 2019. However, this type of accident, seemingly harmless, may worsen within hours or days. Some 30,000 strokes a year might be avoided if these warning signs were detected in time.
How do you know if you have had a mini stroke?
Symptoms of transient ischemic attack are the same as those of severe accident, stroke or stroke. They suddenly appear, but disappear in less than an hourmost often in 10 to 20 minutes (Source 1).
Typical symptoms of a TIA:
- Loss of vision in one eye;
- Paralysis of a limb;
- And aphasia.
Possible symptoms of a TIA:
- Vertigo ;
- Unsteady gait;
- And trouble swallowing.
Unlikely symptoms of a TIA:
- Headache ;
- Amnesia;
- Et confusion.
What causes a mini stroke?
As with stroke, the causes of TIA are mainly:
Why shouldn’t AIT be taken lightly?
After a transient ischemic attack, the risk of having a more serious strokel’AVC, is 20% within three monthsmainly in the first eight days, with a risk of death or significant disability. By taking care of the patient within 24 hours following the AIT, the risk of reaching this point is reduced by 80%.
How to react to a TIA? What to do ?
« You have to react immediately because the AIT announces something serious”, insists Pr Amarenco. If the general practitioner cannot be reached, Dial the emergency number, 15.
The patient must, in fact, be sent quickly to the hospital for examinations. Specialized services exist, but still too few.
Why so few “SOS-AIT” clinics?
Only two French hospitals, Bichat in Paris (the first in 2003) and the CHU de Toulouse, have opened a service dedicated to the management of AIT. City doctors can contact this structure 24 hours a day for a quick reception of their patient.
According to Professor Amarenco, a pioneer in the field, other openings are planned, attached to neurovascular units that usually treat strokes. “The administrative blockages have been lifted, explains the neurologist. Additional resources have been allocated. The main problem remains the organization with radiology to have immediate access to diffusion MRI”.
How is a mini-stroke treated? How to avoid stroke?
As soon as the symptoms of the mini-stroke begin, the patient can do one very simple thing: take 300 mg of aspirin. Recent studies show that this express treatment reduces the risk of stroke by 70%. “Anyone can do it at home, by self-medication, without risk, as soon as the symptoms have disappeared spontaneously”, assures Professor Amarenco.
How is a TIA diagnosed? What treatment?
Upon arrival at the hospital, a brain imaging examination, diffusion MRI, allows the diagnosis to be made. From there, a medical treatment intended to prevent the formation of a clot is initiated. Aspirin is associated with ticagrelor, another antiplatelet agent, and anticoagulants.
All risk factors for stroke are then taken care of, the aim being above all to lower cholesterol (objective: an LDL of 0.7 g/l of blood) and to control arterial hypertension (140/90 mmHg maximum).
What to do following a small stroke?
After a mini-stroke, lifestyle advice are given: lose weight, engage in regular physical activity, quit smoking, etc. In some patients, carotid artery surgery is considered to prevent it from clogging.
1693143868
#Transient #ischemic #attack #TIA #signs #sequelae #mini #stroke
