Simple Score Accurately Predicts Early Stroke After TIA

Should a patient who suffers a transient ischemic attack (TIA) be hospitalized or be scheduled for an urgent clinic appointment? Because risk for stroke is 5% to 10% during the week after TIA, rapid evaluation is warranted for subgroups at high risk. Using data from a population-based cohort of 209 patients with neurologist-diagnosed probable or definite first TIA and thorough follow-up, researchers in the U.K. have derived a simple score that predicts which patients will experience stroke within 7 days.

The 6-point ABCD score consists of:

• Age: ≥60 = 1 point

• Blood pressure at presentation: systolic >140 mm Hg or diastolic >90 mm Hg = 1 point

• Clinical features: unilateral weakness = 2 points, speech disturbance without weakness = 1 point

• Duration…