Transient ischaemic attack and stroke 1: secondary prevention

2018 ◽  
pp. 100-103
Author(s):  
Ruth Chambers ◽  
Gill Wakley
2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2020-000471
Author(s):  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Junfeng Shi ◽  
Yuesong Pan ◽  
Zixiao Li ◽  
Hongyi Yan ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe risk of disability and mortality is high among recurrent stroke, which highlights the importance of secondary prevention measures. We aim to evaluate medication persistence for secondary prevention and the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in China.MethodsPatients with acute ischaemic stroke or TIA from the China National Stroke Registry II were divided into 3 groups based on the percentage of persistence in secondary prevention medication classes from discharge to 3 months after onset (level I: persistence=0%, level II: 0%<persistence<100%, level III: persistence=100%). The primary outcome was recurrent stroke. The secondary outcomes included composite events (stroke, myocardial infarction or death from cardiovascular cause), all-cause death and disability (modified Rankin Scale score=3–5) from 3 months to 1 year after onset. Recurrent stroke, composite events and all-cause death were performed using Cox regression model, and disability was identified through logistic regression model using the generalised estimating equation method.Results18 344 patients with acute ischaemic stroke or TIA were included, 315 (1.7%) of whom experienced recurrent strokes. Compared with level I, the adjusted HR of recurrent stroke for level II was 0.41 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.54) and level III 0.37 (0.28 to 0.48); composite events for level II 0.41 (0.32 to 0.53) and level III 0.38 (0.30 to 0.49); all-cause death for level II 0.28 (0.23 to 0.35) and level III 0.20 (0.16–0.24). Compared with level I, the adjusted OR of disability for level II was 0.89 (0.77 to 1.03) and level III 0.82 (0.72 to 0.93).ConclusionsPersistence in secondary prevention medications, especially in all classes of medications prescribed by the physician, was associated with lower hazard of recurrent stroke, composite events, all-cause death and lower odds of disability in patients with acute ischaemic stroke or TIA.


Author(s):  
Neil Heron ◽  
Sean R. O’Connor ◽  
Frank Kee ◽  
Jonathan Mant ◽  
Margaret E. Cupples ◽  
...  

Behavioural interventions that address cardiovascular risk factors such as physical inactivity and hypertension help reduce recurrence risk following a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or “minor” stroke, but an optimal approach for providing secondary prevention is unclear. After developing an initial draft of an innovative manual for patients, aiming to promote secondary prevention following TIA or minor stroke, we aimed to explore views about its usability and acceptability amongst relevant stakeholders. We held three focus group discussions with 18 participants (people who had experienced a TIA or minor stroke (4), carers (1), health professionals (9), and researchers (4). Reflexive thematic analysis identified the following three inter-related themes: (1) relevant information and content, (2) accessibility of format and helpful structure, and (3) strategies to optimise use and implementation in practice. Information about stroke, medication, diet, physical activity, and fatigue symptoms was valued. Easily accessed advice and practical tips were considered to provide support and reassurance and promote self-evaluation of lifestyle behaviours. Suggested refinements of the manual’s design highlighted the importance of simplifying information and providing reassurance for patients early after a TIA or minor stroke. Information about fatigue, physical activity, and supporting goal setting was viewed as a key component of this novel secondary prevention initiative.


Author(s):  
Mary J MacLeod ◽  
Ali Abdullah

Background: The risk of stroke after Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) is 8-11 % within a month. Rapid assessment and early use of preventative therapies can reduce this risk by 80-90%. Many patients do not seek timely medical attention, and may minimise their symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess patients' perception of the significance of TIA/ minor stroke, and their beliefs and attitudes to secondary prevention interventions. Methods: 120 patients with a recent TIA/minor stroke were given a questionnaire after clinic/ward review. This included the validated Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (Brief-IPQ: scores 0-10), and Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ: scores 5-25). Patient adherence to secondary prevention medications was assessed by self-report. Results: There was a 56% return rate. Within the brief-IPQ, patients had a mid score for perceived consequences of their event (4.88 (sd2.67)). Only 22% took urgent action at the time of the event. 60% were persuaded to take action by family or friends. Patients scored the midpoint for emotional distress (4.9 (sd 3.4)) and felt they could not exert personal control (4.0(3.2)). They did believed treatment would control their condition (7.7(2.1)). The majority of patients (86.3%) believed in the necessity of medication, with mean necessity score of 18.36(3.5). 14% reported concerns about becoming dependent upon medications and the potential adverse consequences of taking medication. 78% of patients said they complied with their treatment. Conclusions: Patients may not regard TIA or minor stroke as having important implications for their future health. Many only seek medical advice as a result of external pressure. Patients do not feel they have personal control over the condition, but believe medication is necessary and beneficial. These findings will inform strategies for education and behavioural change interventions in people at risk of or who have had a TIA/minor stroke


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (687) ◽  
pp. e706-e714 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Heron ◽  
Frank Kee ◽  
Jonathan Mant ◽  
Margaret E Cupples ◽  
Michael Donnelly

BackgroundAlthough the importance of secondary prevention after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke is recognised, research is sparse regarding novel, effective ways in which to intervene in a primary care context.AimTo pilot a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of a novel home-based prevention programme (The Healthy Brain Rehabilitation Manual) for patients with TIA or ‘minor’ stroke.Design and settingPilot RCT, home-based, undertaken in Northern Ireland between May 2017 and March 2018.MethodPatients within 4 weeks of a first TIA or ‘minor’ stroke received study information from clinicians in four hospitals. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: standard care (control group) (n = 12); standard care with manual and GP follow-up (n = 14); or standard care with manual and stroke nurse follow-up (n = 14). Patients in all groups received telephone follow-up at 1, 4, and 9 weeks. Eligibility, recruitment, and retention were assessed; stroke/cardiovascular risk factors measured at baseline and 12 weeks; and participants’ views were elicited about the study via focus groups.ResultsOver a 32-week period, 28.2% of clinic attendees (125/443) were eligible; 35.2% of whom (44/125) consented to research contact; 90.9% of these patients (40/44) participated, of whom 97.5% (39/40) completed the study. After 12 weeks, stroke risk factors [cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure and measures of physical activity] improved in both intervention groups. The research methods and the programme were acceptable to patients and health professionals, who commented that the programme ‘filled a gap’ in current post-TIA management.ConclusionFindings indicate that implementation of this novel cardiac rehabilitation programme, and of a trial to evaluate its effectiveness, is feasible, with potential for clinically important benefits and improved secondary prevention after TIA or ‘minor’ stroke.


2021 ◽  
pp. 239698732199290
Author(s):  
Ana Catarina Fonseca ◽  
Áine Merwick ◽  
Martin Dennis ◽  
Julia Ferrari ◽  
José M Ferro ◽  
...  

The aim of the present European Stroke Organisation Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) management guideline document is to provide clinically useful evidence-based recommendations on approaches to triage, investigation and secondary prevention, particularly in the acute phase following TIA. The guidelines were prepared following the Standard Operational Procedure for a European Stroke Organisation guideline document and according to GRADE methodology. As a basic principle, we defined TIA clinically and pragmatically for generalisability as transient neurological symptoms, likely to be due to focal cerebral or ocular ischaemia, which last less than 24 hours. High risk TIA was defined based on clinical features in patients seen early after their event or having other features suggesting a high early risk of stroke (e.g. ABCD2 score of 4 or greater, or weakness or speech disturbance for greater than five minutes, or recurrent events, or significant ipsilateral large artery disease e.g. carotid stenosis, intracranial stenosis). Overall, we strongly recommend using dual antiplatelet treatment with clopidogrel and aspirin short term, in high-risk non-cardioembolic TIA patients, with an ABCD2 score of 4 or greater, as defined in randomised controlled trials (RCTs). We further recommend specialist review within 24 hours after the onset of TIA symptoms. We suggest review in a specialist TIA clinic rather than conventional outpatients, if managed in an outpatient setting. We make a recommendation to use either MRA or CTA in TIA patients for additional confirmation of large artery stenosis of 50% or greater, in order to guide further management, such as clarifying degree of carotid stenosis detected with carotid duplex ultrasound. We make a recommendation against using prediction tools (eg ABCD2 score) alone to identify high risk patients or to make triage and treatment decisions in suspected TIA patients as due to limited sensitivity of the scores, those with score value of 3 or less may include significant numbers of individual patients at risk of recurrent stroke, who require early assessment and treatment. These recommendations aim to emphasise the importance of prompt acute assessment and relevant secondary prevention. There are no data from randomised controlled trials on prediction tool use and optimal imaging strategies in suspected TIA.


Author(s):  
Norazida Ab Rahman ◽  
Wan Chung Law ◽  
Wan Asyraf Wan Zaidi ◽  
Zariah Abdul Aziz ◽  
Norsima Nazifah Sidek ◽  
...  

Objective: This study aimed to assess effectiveness and safety outcomes of antiplatelet therapy for secondary prevention among patients with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA) in Malaysia. Method: Patients with a first ischaemic stroke/TIA between 2014 and 2017 were identified from stroke registry and data was linked with other data sources for information on antiplatelet exposure and outcome events. Exposure was defined as antiplatelet therapy at discharge from the index stroke hospitalisation and categorised into single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) and dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) groups. Primary outcome was composite events of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause death at up to one year after the index stroke in an intention-to-treat analysis. Results: Of 4434 patients included in the analysis, 6.7% were treated with DAPT and 93.3% were in SAPT group. During the 1-year follow-up, composite events occurred in 5.7% of patients in DAPT group and in 12.3% of SAPT (p<0.001). The rates of individual events were lower in DAPT group compared to SAPT: recurrent stroke (3.4% versus 4.8%), myocardial infarction (0.7% versus 1.9%), and all-cause death (1.7% versus 6.0%). Bleeding occurred in 1.3% of the DAPT group versus 1.6% of the SAPT. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression analysis showed that rates of composite outcome was lower in the DAPT group compared to SAPT (HR 0.53, 95%CI 0.32, 0.86). Conclusion: In patients with ischaemic stroke/TIA, treatment with DAPT following the index stroke was associated with reduced risk of the composite events of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. There appears to be similar risk of bleeding with DAPT versus SAPT.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711641
Author(s):  
Isabelle Williams ◽  
William Smith ◽  
Edward Nash ◽  
Ajay Patel

BackgroundStroke is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. Major advances have occurred in secondary prevention of stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) during the past three decades. Primary care is a critical point of contact with patients in the implementation of secondary prevention, with the majority of patients with past stroke/TIA being managed in the community.AimTo assess current practice at the New Queen Street and Stanground Surgeries, Peterborough, in reference to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on secondary prevention of stroke/TIA.MethodAn audit at the above practices was undertaken by searching the SystmOne computer system for adult patients with previous stroke/TIA (311), excluding those with haemorrhagic stroke and those on aspirin. The patient records of the remaining group (37) were investigated to find whether they were on appropriate antithrombotic therapy and, if not, why.ResultsOf post-stroke/TIA patients, 234/236 were receiving antithrombotic therapy unless contraindicated. For those not on antithrombotics, risk of bleeding was the reason given in 10/13 of cases, though many of these patients did not have active bleeding (exact number unclear due to poor documentation). In 2/13 cases there was no documented reason given and informed dissent in one of the 13 cases.ConclusionIt was found that both practices implemented the guidelines to a satisfactory degree. However, to further improve secondary prevention outreach, bleeding risk should be assessed using a tool such as S2TOP-BLEED before withholding antithrombotic therapy, as, on balance, antithrombotic therapy may still be preferable. In addition, accurate and detailed documentation of the indications/contraindications to anticoagulation is paramount for such assessment.


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