Question 3. In adult patients with suspected TIA, is carotid ultrasonography as accurate as neck CTA or MRA in identifying severe carotid stenosis?

Patient Management Recommendations

• Level A: None specified.
• Level B: None specified.
• Level C: In adult patients with suspected TIA, carotid ultrasonography may be used to exclude severe carotid stenosis because it has an accuracy similar to that of MRA or CTA.

Question 4. In adult patients with suspected TIA, can a rapid ED-based diagnostic protocol safely identify patients at short-term risk for stroke?

Patient Management Recommendations

• Level A: None specified.
• Level B: In adult patients with suspected TIA without high-risk conditions, a rapid ED-based diagnostic protocol may be used to evaluate patients at short-term risk for stroke. (High-risk conditions include abnormal initial head CT result [if obtained], suspected embolic source [presence of atrial fibrillation, cardiomyopathy, or valvulopathy], known carotid stenosis, previous large stroke, and crescendo TIA.)
• Level C: None specified.

Because of the high risk of stroke after a TIA, timely diagnostic testing for modifiable risk factors is important. This can be done in a number of ways, including an ED-based protocol (eg, ED observation) and should include neurovascular imaging.

While there are a number of risk stratification instruments for TIA, none are currently sufficient in identifying patients who are at low short-term risk for stroke and who can be safely discharged from the ED. More research is needed to develop better risk-stratification instruments as well as identifying which diagnostics tests should be performed during the ED visit versus as an outpatient.

Dr. Lo is an associate professor of emergency medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia, and medical director of the department of emergency medicine at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia.