Transient ischemic attack, protracted transient ischemic attack, and completed stroke.

The natural history and follow-up (5-7 years) of 76 patients with transient ischemic attacks (TIA), 45 patients with protracted transient ischemic attacks (PTIA), 85 patients with minor strokes (labelled as partial nonprogressing stroke; PNS) has been studied with the purpose of a comparative evaluation, since TIA, PTIA and PNS are often grouped together. Multiple attacks significantly recurred more frequently in patients with TIA and PTIA with respect to those with PNS. Patients with PNS significantly survived the follow-up with respect to patients with TIA and PTIA. At present, the distinction into TIA, PTIA and PNS should be maintained. Vascular surgery in cases with PNS should not be regarded a reasonable therapeutic strategy except in some individual cases.