Serum uric acid and outcome after acute ischemic stroke: PREMIER study.

BACKGROUND: Current evidence shows that uric acid is a potent antioxidant whose serum concentration increases rapidly after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Nevertheless, the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and AIS outcome remains debatable. We aimed to describe the prognostic significance of SUA in AIS. METHODS: We studied 463 patients (52% men, mean age 68 years, 13% with glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min at hospital arrival) with AIS pertaining to the multicenter registry PREMIER, who had SUA measurements at hospital presentation. Multivariate models were constructed to analyze the association of SUA with functional outcome as assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 30-day, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-up. A mRS 0-1 was regarded as a very good outcome. RESULTS: Mean SUA concentration at hospital arrival was 6.1 ± 3.7 mg/dl (362.8 ± 220.0 µmol/l). Compared with cases with higher SUA levels at hospital admission, patients with ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 µmol/l; the lowest tertile of the sample) had more cases of a very good 30-day outcome (30.5 vs. 18.9%, respectively; p = 0.004). SUA was not associated with mortality or functional dependence (mRS >2) at 30 days, or with any outcome measure at 3, 6 or 12 months poststroke. After adjustment for age, gender, stroke type and severity (NIHSS <9), time since event onset, serum creatinine, hypertension, diabetes and smoking, a SUA ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 µmol/l) was positively associated with a very good short-term outcome (odds ratio: 1.76, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-2.95; negative predictive value: 81.1%), but not at 3, 6 or 12 months of follow-up. When NIHSS was entered in the multivariate model as a continuous variable, the independent association of SUA with outcome was lost. Compared with cases with higher levels, patients with SUA ≤4.5 mg/dl (≤267.7 µmol/l) were more frequently younger than 55 years, women, with mild strokes, with normal serum creatinine and fewer had hypertension. The time since event onset to hospital arrival was not significantly associated with AIS severity or SUA levels; nevertheless, a nonsignificant tendency was observed for patients with severe strokes and high SUA levels arriving in <24 h. CONCLUSIONS: A low SUA concentration is modestly associated with a very good short-term outcome. Our findings support the hypothesis that SUA is more a marker of the magnitude of the cerebral infarction than an independent predictor of stroke outcome.

Corticosteroids for neurocysticercosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis is an infection of the central nervous system by the larval stage of Taenia solium. It is a major cause of epileptic seizures in low- and middle-income countries. Corticosteroids are frequently used to reduce inflammation and perilesional edema. We aimed to evaluate their efficacy for reducing the rate of seizures and lesion persistence in imaging studies. METHODS: We searched randomized controlled trials in Medline, Central, EMBASE, LILACS, and the gray literature without language restrictions. We assessed eligibility, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias in the included studies. The main outcomes included seizure recurrence and lesion persistence on imaging studies at 6-12 months of follow-up. Risk ratios (RR) were used for evaluating the main outcomes. RESULTS: Thirteen studies involving 1373 participants were included. The quality of the evidence was deemed low to very low. Corticosteroids alone versus placebo/no drug (five trials) reduced the rate of seizure recurrence at 6-12 months (RR 0.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.27-0.77; 426 participants) and the persistence of lesions in imaging studies (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.43-0.92; 417 participants). No differences were noted in other comparisons, including the use of corticosteroids and albendazole combined. Corticosteroids plus albendazole increased the risk of abdominal pain, rash, and headaches (odds ratio 8.73, 95% CI 2.09-36.5; 116 participants, one trial). CONCLUSIONS: Although the evidence suggest corticosteroids can reduce the rate of seizure recurrence and speed up resolution of lesions at 6-12 months of follow-up, there remains uncertainty on the effect estimate due to a high risk of methodological and publication bias. More adequately performed randomized trials that evaluate the use of anthelmintics, corticosteroids, and both combined against placebo are needed.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in a Mexican multicenter registry of acute cerebrovascular disease: the RENAMEVASC study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of cerebrovascular disease that is usually not mentioned in multicenter registries on all-type acute stroke. We aimed to describe the experience on hospitalized patients with CVT in a Mexican multicenter registry on acute cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: CVT patients were selected from the RENAMEVASC registry, which was conducted between 2002 and 2004 in 25 Mexican hospitals. Risk factors, neuroimaging, and 30-day outcome as assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 2000 all-type acute stroke patients, 59 (3%; 95% CI, 2.3-3.8%) had CVT (50 women; female:male ratio, 5:1; median age, 31 years). Puerperium (42%), contraceptive use (18%), and pregnancy (12%) were the main risk factors in women. In 67% of men, CVT was registered as idiopathic, but thrombophilia assessment was suboptimal. Longitudinal superior sinus was the most frequent thrombosis location (78%). Extensive (>5 cm) venous infarction occurred in 36% of patients. Only 81% of patients received anticoagulation since the acute phase, and 3% needed decompressive craniectomy. Mechanical ventilation (13.6%), pneumonia (10.2%) and systemic thromboembolism (8.5%) were the main in-hospital complications. The 30-day case fatality rate was 3% (2 patients; 95% CI, 0.23-12.2%). In a Cox proportional hazards model, only age <40 years was associated with a mRS score of 0 to 2 (functional independence; rate ratio, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.34-8.92). CONCLUSIONS: The relative frequency of CVT and the associated in-hospital complications were higher than in other registries. Thrombophilia assessment and acute treatment was suboptimal. Young age is the main determinant of a good short-term outcome.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in Mexico: results from a Multicenter Nationwide Hospital-based Registry on Cerebrovascular Disease (RENAMEVASC).

INTRODUCTION: Scarce information exists on intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in Latin America, and the existent is derived from single-center registries with non-generalizable conclusions. The aim of this study is to describe the frequency, etiology, management and outcome of ICH in Mexico. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied consecutive patients with ICH pertaining to the National Multicenter Registry on Cerebro-vascular Disease (RENAMEVASC), conducted in 25 centers from 14 states of Mexico. The Intracerebral Hemorrhage Grading Scale (ICH-GS) at admission was used to assess prognosis at 30 days follow-up. RESULTS: Of 2,000 patients with acute cerebrovascular disease registered in RENAMEVASC, 564 (28%) had primary ICH (53% women; median age: 63 years; interquartile range: 50-75 years). Hypertension (70%), vascular malformations (7%) and amyloid angiopathy (4%) were the main etiologies. In 10% of cases etiology could not be determined. Main ICH locations were basal ganglia (50%), lobar (35%) and cerebellum (5%). Irruption into the ventricular system occurred in 43%. Median score of ICH-GS was 8 points: 49% had 5-7 points, 37% had 8-10 points and 15% had 11-13 points. The 30-day case fatality rate was 30%, and 31% presented severe disability. The 30-day survival was 92% for patients with ICH-GS 5-7 points, whereas it decreased to 27% in patients with ICH-GS 11-13 points. CONCLUSIONS: In Mexico, ICH represents about a third of the forms of acute cerebrovascular disease, and the majority of patients present severe disability or death at 30 days of follow-up. Hypertension is the main cause; hence, control of this important cardiovascular risk factor should reduce the health burden of ICH.

[Systolic blood pressure and functional outcome in patients with acute stroke: a Mexican registry of acute cerebrovascular disease (RENAMEVASC)]. / Presión arterial sistólica y pronóstico funcional en pacientes con enfermedad vascular cerebral aguda: Registro mexicano de enfermedad vascular cerebral.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between the admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 30-day outcome in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: The REgistro NAcional Mexicano de Enfermedad VAScular Cerebral (RENAMEVASC) is a hospital-based multicenter registry performed between November 2002 and October 2004. A total of 2000 patients with clinical syndromes of acute cerebrovascular disease confirmed by neuroimaging were registered. The modified Rankin scale was used for outcome stratification. RESULTS: We analyzed 1721 patients who had registered their SBP: 78 (4.5%) had transient ischemic attack, 894 (51.9%) brain infarction, 534 (30.9%) intracerebral hemorrhage, 165 (9.6%) subarachnoid hemorrhage and 50 (2.9%) cerebral venous thrombosis. Among 1036 (60.2%) patients with the antecedent of hypertension, only 32.4% had regular treatment. The 30-day case fatality rate presented a J pattern with respect to SBP, so that the risk of death was highest in <100 mmHg (37.5%), decreased between 100 and 139, and reached gradually a new zenith in ?220 mmHg (35.3%). The best functional outcome corresponded to patients who had SBP between 100 mmHg and 159 mmHg. In a Cox proportional hazards model, SBP <100 mmHg or ?220 mmHg was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (RR: 1.52, IC 95%: 1.07 - 2.15), as well as the antecedent of hypertension (RR: 1.33, IC 95%: 1.06 - 1.65) and age >65 years (RR: 2.16, IC 95%: 1.74 - 2.67). CONCLUSION: Both hypotension and significant arterial hypertension at hospital admission are associated with an adverse outcome after acute cerebrovascular disease. Nevertheless, a good functional outcome can be attained in a wide range of SBP.

Presión arterial sistólica y pronóstico funcional en pacientes con enfermedad vascular cerebral aguda: Registro mexicano de enfermedad vascular cerebral / Systolic blood pressure and functional outcome in patients with acute stroke: A Mexican registry of acute cerebrovascular disease (RENAMEVASC)

Objetivo: Analizar la asociación de la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) al ingreso hospitalario y la evolución clínica a 30 días en pacientes con enfermedad vascular cerebral (EVC) aguda. Métodos: El REgistro NAcional Mexicano de Enfermedad VAScular Cerebral (RENAMEVASC) es un registro hospitalario multicéntrico realizado de noviembre de 2002 a octubre de 2004. Se registraron 2000 pacientes con distintos síndromes clínicos de EVC aguda confirmados por neuroimagen. La estratificación de la evolución clínica se realizó mediante la escala de Rankin modificada. Resultados: Se analizaron 1721 pacientes con registro de la PAS: 78 (4.5%) con isquemia cerebral transitoria, 894 (51.9%) con infarto cerebral, 534 (30.9%) con hemorragia intracerebral, 165 (9.6%) con hemorragia subaracnoidea y 50 (2.9%) con trombosis venosa cerebral. De los 1036 (60.2%) pacientes con el antecedente de hipertensión, sólo 32.4% tenía un tratamiento regular. La tasa de mortalidad a 30 días presentó un patrón en J con respecto a la PAS, de tal manera que el riesgo de muerte fue máximo en <100 mmHg (37.5%), descendió entre 100 mmHg y 139 mmHg, para alcanzar gradualmente un nuevo cenit en >220 mmHg (35.3%). El mejor desenlace funcional correspondió a los pacientes que tuvieron una PAS entre 100 mmHg y 159 mmHg. Mediante un modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox se encontró que una PAS <100 mmHg o >220 mmHg fue un factor independiente de riesgo de muerte a 30 días (RR: 1.52, IC 95%: 1.07 - 2.15), al igual que el antecedente de hipertensión (RR: 1.33, IC 95%: 1.06 - 1.65) y edad >65 años (RR: 2.16, IC 95%: 1.74 - 2.67). Conclusión: Tanto la hipotensión como la hipertensión arterial significativa al ingreso hospitalario se asocian a un pronóstico adverso en la EVC aguda. No obstante, un buen pronóstico funcional se puede lograr en un amplio rango de cifras de PAS.

Objective: To analyze the association between the admission systolic blood pressure (SBP) and 30-day outcome in patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. Methods: The REgistro NAcional Mexicano de Enfermedad VAScular Cerebral (RENAMEVASC) is a hospital-based multicenter registry performed between November 2002 and October 2004. A total of 2000 patients with clinical syndromes of acute cerebrovascular disease confirmed by neuroimaging were registered. The modified Rankin scale was used for outcome stratification. Results: We analyzed 1721 patients who had registered their SBP: 78 (4.5%) had transient ischemic attack, 894 (51.9%) brain infarction, 534 (30.9%) intracerebral hemorrhage, 165 (9.6%) subarachnoid hemorrhage and 50 (2.9%) cerebral venous thrombosis. Among 1036 (60.2%) patients with the antecedent of hypertension, only 32.4% had regular treatment. The 30-day case fatality rate presented a J pattern with respect to SBP, so that the risk of death was highest in <100 mmHg (37.5%), decreased between 100 and 139, and reached gradually a new zenith in >220 mmHg (35.3%). The best functional outcome corresponded to patients who had SBP between 100 mmHg and 159 mmHg. In a Cox proportional hazards model, SBP <100 mmHg or >220 mmHg was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (RR: 1.52, IC 95%: 1.07 - 2.15), as well as the antecedent of hypertension (RR: 1.33, IC 95%: 1.06 - 1.65) and age >65 years (RR: 2.16, IC 95%: 1.74 - 2.67). Conclusion: Both hypotension and significant arterial hypertension at hospital admission are associated with an adverse outcome after acute cerebrovascular disease. Nevertheless, a good functional outcome can be attained in a wide range of SBP.

[Obesity paradox and functional recovery in first-ever acute ischemic stroke survivors: the PREMIER study]. / Paradoja de la obesidad y recuperación funcional en sobrevivientes a un primer infarto cerebral: estudio PREMIER.

INTRODUCTION: The 'obesity paradox' is the decreasing risk of death after cardiovascular disease, with a high body mass index (BMI), even when BMI is a risk factor for vasculopathy, in the first place. Our aim was to analyze the influence of obesity on the functional recovery after ischemic stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 510 patients who survived a first-ever acute ischemic stroke, without cerebrovascular disease history, and without recurrence or death after 12 months of follow-up. We also studied 501 healthy subjects who received tetrapolar bioimpedance analysis to compare the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), abdominal circumference and BMI, as adiposity indices, in order to apply them in stroke patients. RESULTS: In healthy individuals, WHtR performed better than BMI or abdominal circumference in predicting body fat. In a Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for multiple covariables, age (hazard ratio, HR = 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 1.08-1.14), NIHSS score (HR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01-1.05) and WHtR > 70 (HR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.33-4.48) were associated with a high risk of attaining a modified Rankin scale more or equal than 3 at 12 months after stroke; whereas BMI > 35 (HR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.11-0.98) was protector. CONCLUSION: As reflected by WHtR, the excess of adiposity increases the chance of severe disability after ischemic stroke. Since BMI reflects also total lean mass, it is risky to conclude that there is a protective effect of obesity alone in the functional recovery after stroke; nevertheless, it is possible that a certain magnitude of body mass is necessary to prevent severe disability in stroke survivors.

Paradoja de la obesidad y recuperación funcional en sobrevivientes a un primer infarto cerebral: estudio PREMIER / Obesity paradox and functional recovery in first-ever acute ischemic stroke survivors: the PREMIER study

Introducción. Se denomina 'paradoja de la obesidad' al descenso del riesgo de muerte por enfermedad cardiovascular, con un índice de masa corporal (IMC) alto, aun cuando este es un factor de riesgo para vasculopatía. Nuestro objetivo fue analizar la influencia de la obesidad en la recuperación funcional que sigue a un ictus isquémico. Pacientes y métodos. Analizamos 510 pacientes con un primer infarto cerebral, sin historia de ictus y sin recurrencia o muerte en 12 meses de seguimiento. A 501 sujetos sanos se les evaluó mediante bioimpedancia tetrapolar, para comparar el índice cintura/talla (ICT), perímetro abdominal e IMC en la discriminación de adiposidad, para aplicarlos a pacientes con ictus. Resultados. En individuos sanos, el ICT se desempeño notablemente mejor que el IMC o el perímetro abdominal para identificar adiposidad corporal. En un modelo de riesgos proporcionales de Cox ajustado por múltiples covariables, la edad (riesgo relativo, RR = 1,11; intervalo de confianza del 95%, IC 95% = 1,08-1,14), puntuación de la National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (RR = 1,03; IC 95% = 1,01-1,05) e ICT > 70 (RR = 2,44; IC 95% = 1,33-4,48) se asociaron a mayor riesgo de alcanzar una puntuación mayor o igual a 3 en la escala de Rankin modificada a los 12 meses, mientras que un IMC > 35 (RR = 0,33; IC 95% = 0,11-0,98) fue protector. Conclusión. El exceso de adiposidad, según el ICT, aumenta la probabilidad de discapacidad grave después del ictus. Dado que el IMC refleja también masa magra, es arriesgado concluir que existe un efecto protector de la obesidad en la recuperación del ictus, pero es posible que cierta masa corporal sea necesaria para prevenir una discapacidad grave (AU)

Introduction. The 'obesity paradox' is the decreasing risk of death after cardiovascular disease, with a high body mass index (BMI), even when BMI is a risk factor for vasculopathy, in the first place. Our aim was to analyze the influence of obesity on the functional recovery after ischemic stroke. Patients and methods. We studied 510 patients who survived a first-ever acute ischemic stroke, without cerebrovascular disease history, and without recurrence or death after 12 months of follow-up. We also studied 501 healthy subjects who received tetrapolar bioimpedance analysis to compare the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), abdominal circumference and BMI, as adiposity indices, in order to apply them in stroke patients (AU)

Acute care and one-year outcome of Mexican patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke: the PREMIER study.

INTRODUCTION: Information on acute care and outcome of Mexican patients with ischaemic stroke is lacking. The aim of this report is to provide results of a first step stroke surveillance system and outcome at one year of follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the PREMIER study 1,376 patients from 59 Mexican hospitals were included from January 2005 to June 2006. Of these, 1,040 (52% women, mean age 67.5 years) with first-ever cerebral infarction are here analyzed. Five visits were completed during the one year follow-up. RESULTS: Main risk factors were hypertension (64%), obesity (51%) and diabetes (35%). Total anterior circulation stroke syndrome occurred in 19% of patients, partial anterior in 38%, lacunar in 26% and posterior stroke syndrome in 17% cases. In 8% the stroke mechanism was large-artery atherosclerosis, in 18% cardioembolism, in 20% lacunar, in 6% miscellaneous mechanisms and in 42% the mechanism was undetermined, mainly due to a low use of diagnostic resources. Although 17% of patients arrived in < 3 h from stroke onset, only 0.5% had IV thrombolysis. Only 1% received endarterectomy or stenting. The 30-day case fatality rate was 15%. At one-year of follow-up, 47% had a modified Rankin score 0-2 (independent), 23% had 2-5 (dependent) and 29% died. One-year acute ischaemic stroke recurrence rate was 8%. CONCLUSION: In Mexico a significant proportion of patients arrive on time for thrombolysis, but very few receive this therapy. There is a low use of diagnostic resources to assign aetiology. Thirty-day case fatality rate doubles at 1-year after acute ischaemic stroke.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in a Mexican multicenter registry of cerebrovascular disease: the RENAMEVASC study.

BACKGROUND: Information on risk factors and outcome of persons with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in Mexico is unknown. We sought to describe the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcome at discharge of Mexican patients with aneurysmal SAH. METHODS: A first-step surveillance system was conducted on consecutive cases confirmed by 4-vessel angiography from November 2002 to October 2004 in 25 tertiary referral centers. Age- and sex-matched control subjects were randomly selected by a 1:1 factor, for multivariate analysis on risk factors. RESULTS: We studied 231 patients (66% women; mean age 52 years, range 16-90 years). In 92%, the aneurysms were in the anterior circulation, and 15% had more than two aneurysms. After multivariate analysis, hypertension (odds ratio 2.46, 95% confidence interval 1.59-3.81) and diabetes mellitus (odds ratio 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.68) were directly and inversely associated with aneurysmal SAH, respectively. Median hospital stay was 23 days (range 2-98 days). Invasive treatment was performed in 159 (69%) patients: aneurysm clipping in 126 (79%), endovascular coiling in 29 (18%), and aneurysm wrapping in 4 (2%). The in-hospital mortality was 20% (mostly due to neurologic causes), and 25% of patients were discharged with a modified Rankin score of 4 or 5. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is the main risk factor for aneurysmal SAH in hospitalized patients from Mexico. The female:male ratio is 2:1. A relatively low in-hospital mortality and a high frequency of invasive interventions are observed. However, a high proportion of patients are discharged with important neurologic impairment.

Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage in young people: previously unnoticed age-related clinical differences.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in young people has been the object of only succinct analyses. Therefore, it is unclear whether extrapolation of the information obtained from older patients is also valid for the young. Here we describe young persons with hypertensive ICH and compare them with their older counterparts to determine whether age-related clinical differences exist. METHODS: From 1988 to 2004, we studied 35 consecutive young patients with ICH (60% men; mean age, 33 years; range, 15 to 40 years) for whom the etiology of the brain hemorrhage was hypertension. For clinical comparisons, sex-matched persons with hypertensive ICH, aged >40 years, were randomly selected by a factor of 3:1 (n=105). RESULTS: Essential hypertension was present in 26 (74%) young patients and secondary hypertension in 9 (26%), with renovascular hypertension being the most common cause (n=5, 55%). Compared with older patients, the young had higher blood pressures, smaller hemorrhage volumes, lower rates of ventricular extensions (for all, P<0.05), and different distribution pattern of ICHs (P=0.05), without cerebellar and lobar locations. Thirty-day mortality was markedly lower in the young than in older persons (P=0.001), nevertheless at the expense of more incapacitating disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Young people presenting with hypertensive ICH differ in clinical characteristics and have a different prognosis when compared with their older counterparts. These findings suggest underlying age-related differences in disease pathogenesis.

[Short-term prognosis of transient ischemic attacks. Mexican multicenter stroke registry]. / Pronóstico a corto plazo de la isquemia cerebral transitoria. Registro multicéntrico de enfermedad vascular cerebral en México.

BACKGROUND: There are no data on Mexican population referring to frequency and prognosis of transient ischemic attacks (TIA). The purpose of the present study was to: (1) estimate the prevalence, vascular risk factors and short-term outcome in patients with TIA included in the first Mexican registry of cerebrovascular disease, and (2) analyze the acute care provided in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This national registry of cerebrovascular diseases is a multicenter, observational, and hospital-based registry that was conducted from November 2002 to October 2004. The registry was developed to improve our knowledge in Mexico regarding risk factors profile, outcome, current diagnostic and treatment strategies, and short-term follow-up in patients with acute cerebral ischemia. Standardized data assessment was used by all centers which included information on demographics, pre-hospital events (including stroke onset and arrival to hospital), emergency department triage and workup. Short-term outcome was evaluated at day 30. Of this registry, TIA cases were selected and associated risk factors, clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: During the study time period, 2,000 patients were enrolled; 97 (5%) with diagnosis of TIA; 51 women and 46 men, mean age 69.3 +/- 11.4 years. Among these 97 patients; 51 (52.6%) were admitted to the hospital for evaluation. The main risk factors were; age > or = 65 years in 74%, hypertension in 64%, diabetes in 45%, and dislipidemia in 36% and obesity in 31%. The affected arterial territory was carotid TIA in 74% and vertebrobasilar in 26%. TIA was attributed to atherosclerosis in 63% of the patients, cardioembolism in 17%, and small vessels disease in 5%. At 30 days follow-up; three patients died during the initial evaluation (two secondary to cardiac arrhythmia, and one secondary to pneumonia). Among 14 of the 94 survivors (14.9%) we documented an early stroke recurrence, including cerebral infarction in nine patients (9.6%) and new TIA in five cases (5.3%). Considering death and cerebral infarction, the frequency of unfavorable major events was 12.4%. There were only three cases treated with carotid endarterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term risk of ischemic stroke, death or recurrent in TIA patients is high. These findings emphasize that all patients with TIA should undergo rapid investigation and management to prevent a major stroke and other vascular events.