Transient ischemic attacks. Rethinking concepts in management.

All transient ischemic attacks are not created equal. However, they are a medical emergency, and all patients should be hospitalized for urgent evaluation of their risk for stroke or myocardial infarction. For optimal management, it must be determined whether an ischemic attack affects the anterior or posterior circulation. In this article, the authors review current medical options for stroke prevention and the indications for carotid endarterectomy.