Speedy 'Mini-Stroke' Care Pays Off(dmonton Alberta Canada and Dr. Ashfaq Sh...),Health

They noted that patients who've had a minor stroke or TIA aren't disabled, and if "the risk of a disabling stroke can be substantially reduced in this population, we strongly recommend that patients should receive the same urgent attention as is provided for those with acute coronary syndrome."

In the second study, also published online Oct. 9 in The Lancet Neurology, French researchers established a 24-hour hospital clinic to treat patient with suspected cerebral or retinal TIAs. Patient assessment took place within just four hours of admission.

Of the almost 1,100 patients treated at the clinic, the 90-day stroke rate was 1.24 percent --- about 80 percent lower than the close to 6 percent rate predicted by scores calculated on the basis of age, blood pressure, clinical features, diabetes and duration of symptoms.

The study authors said their findings "show that prompt evaluation and treatment of patients with TIA in a dedicated outpatient unit is associated with a lower than expected risk of subsequent stroke. Because almost three-quarters of patients were discharged home on the same day as diagnosis, the TIA clinic is also likely to involve lower costs and greater patient satisfaction about their management than is treatment without such a clinic."

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about stroke.

-- Robert Preidt

SOURCES: The Lancet, The Lancet Neurology, news releases, Oct. 9, 2007