Abstract

The definition of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and the assumptions underlying the definition have been out of date for some time and are no longer consistent with current concepts of brain ischemia. The classic definition of TIA is a sudden, focal neurologic deficit that lasts for less than 24 hours, is presumed to be of vascular origin, and is confined to an area of the brain or eye perfused by a specific artery. Typical symptoms include hemiparesis, hemiparesthesia, dysarthria, dysphasia, diplopia, circumoral numbness, imbalance, and monocular blindness. TIAs are often referred to as ministrokes, warning strokes, or transient strokes because . . .