Triansient ischemic attack is defined as transient episode of neurological dysfunction from focal ischemia without acute infarction to the brain, spinal cord or retina. It typically lasts less than one hour, but defined as as less than 24 hours. Classic symptoms are unilateral weakness or numbness and less common symptoms include unilateral vision loss (amaurosis fugax), transient aphasia, or vertigo.
The most common cause of transient ischemic attacks is cardioembolic events (e.g., intracardiac thrombus from atrial fibrillation). The second most common cause is small-vessel occlusion/Lacunar (e.g., from microatheromas, fibrinoid necrosis, lipohyalinosis) and insitu thrombosis of the internal carotid artery or its intracranial portion.
The most common cause of transient ischemic attacks is cardioembolic events (e.g., intracardiac thrombus from atrial fibrillation). The second most common cause is small-vessel occlusion/Lacunar (e.g., from microatheromas, fibrinoid necrosis, lipohyalinosis) and insitu thrombosis of the internal carotid artery or its intracranial portion.