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Stroke and transient ischaemic attack - Management
How urgently should I refer someone presenting after a transient ischaemic attack?

  • Consider admission if:
    • The person has atrial fibrillation — they are at higher risk for early stroke.
  • Refer immediately (the target is to be seen by a specialist and investigated within 24 hours of the start of symptoms) if:
    • The person's ABCD2 score is 4 or more — they are at higher risk for early stroke.
    • The person has had two or more transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs) within 1 week — they are at higher risk for early stroke.
    • The person is on anticoagulation treatment — brain imaging is required to exclude intracranial bleeding.
  • Consider immediate referral if:
    • The person has recurrent TIAs more than 1 week apart — they are at higher risk for early stroke.
  • Refer urgently (the target is to be seen by a specialist and investigated within 1 week of the onset of symptoms) if:
    • The person presents sufficiently early and is at lower risk of an early stroke, that is has both:
      • An ABCD2 score of 3 or less.
      • No other TIAs within the past week.

In depth

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