Predicting Ischemic Stroke Risk After a Transient Ischemic Attack

In 2005, Rothwell and colleagues described a relatively simple six-point scale — the ABCD score — for predicting the risk for ischemic stroke within the first week after a transient ischemic attack (see Journal Watch Neurology Sep 8 2005). The scored variables were (A) age (≥60 years = 1 point), (B) elevated blood pressure (systolic >140 mm Hg, diastolic >90 mm Hg, or both = 1 point), (C) clinical features (unilateral weakness = 2 points; speech disturbance without weakness = 1 point; other = 0 points), and (D) duration (in minutes, ≥60 = 2 points; 10–59 = 1 point; <10 = 0). The 7-day risk for stroke was 12.1% with a score of 5 and 31.4% with a score of 6. Generally, patients with lower scores had a low risk.

Now, in a confirmatory study, Ts…