Elevated Stroke Risk Continues for 5 Years After TIA

By Joe Elia

Edited by Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM

People who've suffered a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or minor ischemic stroke face roughly a 10%–15% risk for a serious cardiovascular event over the next 5 years, according to an industry-supported study published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Stroke Organisation Conference. The findings represent a more modern look at stroke rates after TIA.

TIAregistry.org investigators followed up on some 3800 adult patients from an earlier 1-year study. All had entered the registry soon after their initial event. The primary composite outcome — stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or death from cardiovascular causes — occurred in 12.9% of patients by year 5. Half of those events happened by the end of the first year, with the remainder occurring in years 2 through 5.

The authors conclude that, given the continuing risk, "there may be potential for reducing recurrent strokes by ongoing secondary prevention measures.