Frequency of transient ischaemic attacks in strokes: place for a preventive treatment.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) represents a neurological deficit during less than 24 hours, without any abnormality on CT scan. This symptom may have 2 risks: it may give place to a severe stroke, and it is not always linked to an ischaemic mechanism. This work rests on a population-based registry existing in Dijon since 1985 with a specific and exhaustive registration. CT scan allows the mechanisms of stroke to be identified: cortical infarct, lacunar infarct, cerebral haemorrhage, and TIA. TIA represent 15% of stroke. Survival rate of 80% is better than other strokes. A TIA may appear before a cerebral infarct in 48% of the cases, a lacunar infarct in 18% of the cases, another TIA in 28% of the cases, and a haematoma in 8% of the cases. Therefore TIA is an important symptom appearing before severe stroke, that may let place to a preventative action.