Transient neurological attack before vertebrobasilar stroke

Vascular vertigo and dizziness: managing and treating outpatients

OBJECTIVE

Due the lack of data on the treatment of Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness, this study aimed to report how we managed and treated those outpatients according to the recently introduced American Heart Association and Stroke Association guidelines.

METHODS

We conducted a longitudinal case series from May 2022 to February 2023. We included patients who met the Bárány Society's Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness classification and were eligible for therapy in accordance with the American Heart Association and Stroke Association guidelines, featuring aspects of the stroke group and transient attack group.

RESULTS

Overall, 41 patients (51.2% female; median age 72 years) were enrolled; 10 (24.3%) had ischemic strokes, 30 (73.1%) had transient ischemic attack, and 1 (2.4%) had a probable isolated labyrinthine infarction. The patients received dual antiplatelet (48.7%), single antiplatelet therapy (48.7%), and anticoagulant therapy (2.4%). No new crises occurred in 95.2% of the patients, and the transient ischemic attack group showed a significant decrease in discomfort from imbalance on the visual analog scale.

CONCLUSIONS

Antiplatelets and anticoagulants are safe and effective in treating Vascular Vertigo and Dizziness as they prevent new ischemic events and increase the flow of the posterior circulation, reducing vertigo/dizziness attacks and imbalance complaints.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Recognizing Posterior Circulation Transient Ischemic Attacks Presenting as Episodic Isolated Dizziness

Diagnosing patients presenting to the emergency department with self-limited episodes of isolated dizziness (the episodic vestibular syndrome) requires a broad differential diagnosis that includes posterior circulation transient ischemic attack. Because these patients are, by definition, asymptomatic without new neurologic findings on examination, the diagnosis, largely based on history and epidemiologic context, can be challenging. We review literature that addresses the frequency of posterior circulation transient ischemic attack in this group of patients compared with other potential causes of episodic vestibular syndrome. We present ways of distinguishing posterior circulation transient ischemic attack from vestibular migraine, the most common cause of episodic vestibular syndrome. We also present a diagnostic algorithm that may help clinicians to work their way through the differential diagnosis.

Pearls for the Emergency Clinician: Posterior Circulation Stroke

BACKGROUND

Posterior circulation (PC) stroke in adults is a rare, frequently misdiagnosed, serious condition that carries a high rate of morbidity.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW

This review evaluates the presentation, diagnosis, and management of PC stroke in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence.

DISCUSSION

PC stroke presents most commonly with dizziness or vertigo and must be distinguished from more benign diagnoses. Emergency clinicians should consider this condition in patients with dizziness, even in younger patients and those who do not have traditional stroke risk factors. Neurologic examination for focal neurologic deficit, dysmetria, dysarthria, ataxia, and truncal ataxia is essential, as is the differentiation of acute vestibular syndrome vs. spontaneous episodic vestibular syndrome vs. triggered episodic vestibular syndrome. The HINTS (head impulse, nystagmus, and test of skew) examination can be useful for identifying dizziness presentations concerning for stroke when performed by those with appropriate training. However, it should only be used in patients with continuous dizziness who have ongoing nystagmus. Contrast tomography (CT), CT angiography, and CT perfusion have limited sensitivity for identifying PC strokes, and although magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard, it may miss some PC strokes early in their course. Thrombolysis is recommended in patients presenting within the appropriate time window for thrombolytic therapy, and although some data suggest endovascular therapy for basilar artery and posterior cerebral artery infarcts is beneficial, its applicability for all PC strokes remains to be determined.

CONCLUSIONS

An understanding of PC stroke can assist emergency clinicians in diagnosing and managing this disease.

Isolated transient vertigo due to TIA: challenge for diagnosis and therapy

As a prevalent vertigo disease in the clinic, isolated transient vertigo can present as a vertigo episode without focal signs and always free of symptoms on presentation. Previous studies showed a part of isolated transient vertigo events had a high risk of stroke during follow-up. However, how to discern posterior circulation ischemia become a great challenge for clinicians, especially in emergency, neurology, and ENT departments. Routine besides, hematological, and imaging examinations are often difficult provide a clear etiological diagnosis. Hence, this article reviews current knowledge about the epidemiology, risk factors, offending lesions, and clinical manifestation of transient ischemic attack (TIA) presenting as isolated transient vertigo. In addition, we summarize several advances in besides examinations, serum biomarkers, and imaging technologies to better identify stroke events. Finally, the current situation of therapy was briefly retrospected. Here we present a critical clinical puzzle that needs to be solved in the future. Of note, there is a still lack of high-quality studies in this field. The article reviews the keys to the diagnosis of isolated transient vertigo due to TIA and provides us with more methods to screen for high-risk stroke populations.

Posterior Circulation Ischaemic Stroke

Posterior circulation ischaemic stroke (PCIS) is a disease of high burden. They account for 20-25% of all ischaemic strokes. However, it is relatively under-researched and requires more clinical attention, since it carries worse functional outcomes. Vertigo, visual disturbances and sensory/motor disturbances are found in PCIS. Large artery atherosclerosis and embolism are main causes of PCIS, while there is growing evidence that vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a key association. Hypertension is the commonest risk factor, while diabetes mellitus is more specific to PCIS. PCIS is diagnosed through neuroimaging techniques, which examine structural brain abnormalities, vascular patency and perfusion. PCIS, in line with ischaemic stroke in general, requires medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. This includes smoking cessation, weight control, and dietary alterations. Aspirin use also significantly improves survival outcomes. While intravascular and intra-arterial thrombolysis improve clinical outcomes, this is not proven conclusively for stenting and angioplasty. Future research on PCIS can focus on multi-centre epidemiological studies, clinically significant anatomical variants, and collateralisation.

Stroke Risk in Patients with Suspected Transient Ischemic Attacks with Focal and Nonfocal Symptoms: A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate triage methods for suspected transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) with focal or nonfocal symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 350 patients with suspected TIAs were enrolled and followed for one year. Potential high-risk factors for TIAs, such as atrial fibrillation, carotid artery stenosis, crescendo TIA, and ABCD2 score ≥ 4, were evaluated. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the initial neurological symptoms: focal, nonfocal, and mixed (both focal and nonfocal) groups. Stroke-free survival rates were compared via Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) was performed for 89.8% of the patients within 7 days, and the frequency of acute brain infarction on DWI was significantly lower in the nonfocal group (focal, 24.1%; nonfocal, 7.2%; mixed, 22.2%; P < .01). There was no significant difference in the one-year event-free survival rates across the groups. Significantly higher stroke risk was observed in patients with one or more high-risk categories or the ABCD2 score (≥ 4) in the focal group (P = .021 and .26, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in the other groups. Across all symptom groups, significantly higher stroke risk was observed in patients showing acute infarcts on DWI evaluated within 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Both high-risk categorization (≥ 1 potential high-risk factors) and ABCD2 score (≥ 4) alone were useful tools for identifying higher stroke risk in patients with focal symptom but not with nonfocal symptoms in isolation. Further studies are warranted in triage methods for TIA with nonfocal in isolation in conjunction with DWI.

Overview of Dizziness in Practice

The evaluation of dizziness as a chief complaint can be exceptionally challenging to otolaryngologists. The critical piece in evaluating dizzy patients is to have a plan for how to screen and schedule, how to gather data, and to develop a workflow for testing that allows clinical efficiency. This article provides an overview of evidence-based practices on how to screen dizzy patients before being scheduled, how to efficiently move patients through the otolaryngologist's clinic, and strategies for managing a dizzy practice.

Transient Vestibular Symptoms Preceding Posterior Circulation Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The recognition of clinical features of transient vestibular symptoms (TVSs) preceding posterior circulation stroke (PCOS) would be informative to discriminate dizziness/vertigo due to vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack from the acute transient vestibular syndrome. We sought to determine the prevalence and characteristics of TVSs preceding PCOS.

METHODS

We performed a prospective multicenter observational study that had recruited 447 patients with PCOS from referral-based 4 university hospitals in Korea. We investigated the timing, pattern, frequency, duration, and accompanying neurological symptoms of TVSs during the 3 months preceding PCOS.

RESULTS

The prevalence of TVSs preceding PCOS was 12% (55/447) during the previous 3 months. The TVSs preceding PCOS occurred within 1 week (33%), between 1 week and 1 month (16%), or between 1 and 3 months (51%). The TVSs were mostly dizziness/vertigo with (36%) or without (60%) imbalance, while the remaining 4% had an isolated imbalance. The dizziness/vertigo was spinning in 38% and was aggravated during head position in 45%. The duration of TVSs was mostly a few seconds (55%) or minutes (38%). Approximately 72% of the patients with PCOS had TVSs 1 to 5 times, while 16% had >10 times. Accompanying neurological symptoms, including headache, tinnitus, limb weakness, sensory change, dysarthria, visual field defect, and diplopia, were reported in 11%.

CONCLUSIONS

Preceding TVSs can occur in 12% of PCOS during the previous 3 months. Isolated dizziness/vertigo of unknown cause needs to be considered as a vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack symptom, especially in patients with vascular risk factors. The characteristics of isolated vestibular symptom in vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks is highly variable and atypical compared with other transient ischemic symptoms.

Vertigo and dizziness in the emergency room

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on diagnostic algorithms for differential diagnosis of acute vertigo and dizziness and swift identification of potentially harmful causes.

RECENT FINDINGS

About 25% of patients with acute vertigo and dizziness have a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, including stroke in 4-15%. Diagnostic work-up relies on the combination of symptom features (triggers, duration, history of vertigo/dizziness, accompanying symptoms) and a comprehensive vestibular, ocular motor, and balance exam. The latter includes head impulse, head-shaking nystagmus, positional nystagmus, gaze-holding, smooth pursuit, skew deviation, and Romberg's test. Recent standardized diagnostic algorithms (e.g., HINTS, TriAGe+) suggest the combination of several elements to achieve a good diagnostic accuracy in differentiation of central and peripheral vestibular causes. Neuroimaging with MRI must be applied and interpreted with caution, as small strokes are frequently overlooked, especially in the acute setting (false-negative rate of up to 50%).

SUMMARY

Diagnostic differentiation of acute vertigo and dizziness remains a complex task, which can be tackled by a structured clinical assessment focusing on symptom characteristics and constellations of ocular motor and vestibular findings. Specific challenges arise in cases of transient or atypical vestibular syndromes.

Diagnosis of Patients with Acute Dizziness

Using an algorithmic approach to acutely dizzy patients, physicians can often confidently make a specific diagnosis that leads to correct treatment and should reduce the misdiagnosis of cerebrovascular events. Emergency clinicians should try to become familiar with an approach that exploits timing and triggers as well as some basic "rules" of nystagmus. The gait should always be tested in all patients who might be discharged. Computed tomographic scans are unreliable to exclude posterior circulation stroke presenting as dizziness, and early MRI (within the first 72 hours) also misses 10% to 20% of these cases.

A Prospective Analysis of Lesion-Symptom Relationships in Acute Vestibular and Ocular Motor Stroke

Background: Diagnosing stroke as a cause of acute vertigo, dizziness, or double vision remains a challenge, because symptom characteristics can be variable. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate lesion-symptom relationships in patients with acute vestibular or ocular motor stroke.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty one patients with acute and isolated vestibular or ocular motor symptoms of unclear etiology were enrolled in the EMVERT lesion trial. Symptom quality was assessed by the chief complaint (vertigo, dizziness, double vision), symptom intensity by the visual analog scale, functional impairment by EQ-5D-5L, and symptom duration by daily rating. Acute vestibular and ocular motor signs were registered by videooculography. A standardized MRI (DWI-/FLAIR-/T2-/T2^*-/3D-T1-weighted sequences) was recorded within 7 days of symptom onset. MRIs with DWI lesions were further processed for voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM).

Results: In 47 patients, MRI depicted an acute unilateral stroke (13.4%). The chief complaints were dizziness (42.5%), vertigo (40.4%) and double vision (17.0%). Lesions in patients with vertigo or dizziness showed a large overlap in the cerebellar hemisphere. VLSM indicated that strokes in the medial cerebellar layers 7b, 8, 9 were associated with vertigo, strokes in the lateral cerebellar layer 8, crus 1, 2 with dizziness, and pontomesencephalic strokes with double vision. Symptom intensity and duration varied largely between patients. Higher symptom intensity and longer duration were associated with medial cerebellar lesions. Hemispheric lesions of the cortex were rare and presented with milder symptoms of shorter duration.

Conclusions: Prospective evaluation of patients with acute vestibular or ocular motor stroke revealed that symptom quality, intensity and duration were not suited to differentiating peripheral from central etiologies. Lesions in the lateral cerebellum, thalamus, or cortex presented with unspecific, mild and transient symptoms prone to being misdiagnosed.

A New Diagnostic Approach to the Adult Patient with Acute Dizziness

BACKGROUND

Dizziness, a common chief complaint, has an extensive differential diagnosis that includes both benign and serious conditions. Emergency physicians must distinguish the majority of patients with self-limiting conditions from those with serious illnesses that require acute treatment.

OBJECTIVE OF THE REVIEW

This article presents a new approach to diagnosis of the acutely dizzy patient that emphasizes different aspects of the history to guide a focused physical examination with the goal of differentiating benign peripheral vestibular conditions from dangerous posterior circulation strokes in the emergency department.

DISCUSSION

Currently, misdiagnoses are frequent and diagnostic testing costs are high. This relates in part to use of an outdated, prevalent, diagnostic paradigm. The traditional approach, which relies on dizziness symptom quality or type (i.e., vertigo, presyncope, or disequilibrium) to guide inquiry, does not distinguish benign from dangerous causes, and is inconsistent with current best evidence. A new approach divides patients into three key categories using timing and triggers, guiding a differential diagnosis and targeted bedside examination protocol: 1) acute vestibular syndrome, where bedside physical examination differentiates vestibular neuritis from stroke; 2) spontaneous episodic vestibular syndrome, where associated symptoms help differentiate vestibular migraine from transient ischemic attack; and 3) triggered episodic vestibular syndrome, where the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll test help differentiate benign paroxysmal positional vertigo from posterior fossa structural lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

The timing and triggers diagnostic approach for the acutely dizzy patient derives from current best evidence and offers the potential to reduce misdiagnosis while simultaneously decreases diagnostic test overuse, unnecessary hospitalization, and incorrect treatments.

Duplex Sonography of Vertebral Arteries for Evaluation of Patients with Acute Vertigo

We evaluated the role of vertebral artery extracranial color-coded duplex sonography (VAECCS) in predicting vertebrobasilar stroke in consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with vertigo of suspected ischemic origin. The final diagnosis was established by a panel of experts consisting of an emergency physician, a neurologist, and an otoneurologist. Vertebrobasilar stroke was diagnosed when an acute brain ischemic lesion congruent with symptoms was detected by neuroimaging during the index visit or a stroke was diagnosed within a 3-mo period after emergency department presentation. Among 126 patients, 28 (22%) were diagnosed with vertebrobasilar stroke. Fifteen (75%) of 20 patients with abnormal VAECCS results and 13 (12%) of 106 with normal VAECCS results had a final diagnosis of vertebrobasilar stroke. The sensitivity and specificity of VAECCS were 53.6% and 94.9%, respectively. Detecting an abnormal flow pattern at VAECCS significantly increased the risk of vertebrobasilar stroke (odds ratio = 21.5). The flow patterns most frequently related to vertebrobasilar stroke were absence of flow and high resistance pattern velocity (odds ratio = 9.3 and 22.7, respectively). VAECCS predicts vertebrobasilar stroke and could be a useful bedside screening tool in patients with vertigo.

Ischemic Stroke After Emergency Department Discharge for Symptoms of Transient Neurological Attack

Background and Purpose

The significance of transient neurological attack (TNA) symptoms is unclear. We sought to determine the risk of ischemic stroke after discharge from the emergency department (ED) with a diagnosis consistent with symptoms of TNA.

Methods

Using administrative claims data, we identified patients discharged from EDs in New York between 2006 and 2012 with a primary discharge diagnosis of a TNA symptom, defined as altered mental status, generalized weakness, and sensory changes. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke. We used Kaplan-Meier survival statistics to calculate cumulative rates, and Cox regression to compare stroke risk after TNA versus after transient ischemic attack (TIA; positive control) or renal colic (negative control) while adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors.

Results

Of 499 369 patients diagnosed with a TNA symptom and discharged from the ED, 7756 were hospitalized for ischemic stroke over a period of 4.7 (±1.9) years. At 90 days, the cumulative stroke rate was 0.29% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28%-0.31%) after TNA symptoms versus 2.08% (95% CI: 1.89%-2.28%) after TIA and 0.03% (95% CI: 0.02%-0.04%) after renal colic. The hazard ratio (HR) of stroke was higher after TNA than after renal colic (HR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.90-2.40) but significantly lower than after TIA (HR: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.44-0.50). Compared to TIA, TNA was less strongly associated with stroke among patients under 60 years of age compared to those over 60.

Conclusions

Patients discharged from the ED with TNA symptoms faced a higher risk of ischemic stroke than patients with renal colic, but the magnitude of stroke risk was low, particularly compared to TIA.

Acute Transient Vestibular Syndrome

Background and Purpose—

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stroke and efficacy of bedside evaluation in diagnosing stroke in acute transient vestibular syndrome (ATVS).

Methods—

We performed a prospective, single-center, observational study that had consecutively recruited 86 patients presenting with ATVS to the emergency department of Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital from January to December 2014. All patients received a constructed evaluation, including HINTS plus (head impulse, nystagmus patterns, test of skew, and finger rubbing) and brain magnetic resonance imagings. Patients without an obvious cause further received perfusion-weighted imaging. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine clinical parameters to identify stroke in ATVS.

Results—

The prevalence of stroke was 27% in ATVS. HINTS plus could not be applied to the majority of patients because of the resolution of the vestibular symptoms, and magnetic resonance imagings were falsely negative in 43% of confirmed strokes. Ten patients (12%) showed unilateral cerebellar hypoperfusion on perfusion-weighted imaging without an infarction on diffusion-weighted imaging, and 8 of them had a focal stenosis or hypoplasia of the corresponding vertebral artery. The higher risk of stroke in ATVS was found in association with craniocervical pain (odds ratio, 9.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.0–45.2) and focal neurological symptoms/signs (odds ratio, 15.2; 95% confidence interval, 2.5–93.8).

Conclusions—

Bedside examination and routine magnetic resonance imagings have a limitation in diagnosing strokes presenting with ATVS, and perfusion imaging may help to identify strokes in ATVS of unknown cause. Associated craniocervical pain and focal neurological symptoms/signs are the useful clues for strokes in ATVS.

TiTrATE: A Novel, Evidence-Based Approach to Diagnosing Acute Dizziness and Vertigo

Diagnosing dizziness can be challenging, and the consequences of missing dangerous causes, such as stroke, can be substantial. Most physicians use a diagnostic paradigm developed more than 40 years ago that focuses on the type of dizziness, but this approach is flawed. This article proposes a new paradigm based on symptom timing, triggers, and targeted bedside eye examinations (TiTrATE). Patients fall into 1 of 4 major syndrome categories, each with its own differential diagnosis and set of targeted examination techniques that help make a specific diagnosis. Following an evidence-based approach could help reduce the frequency of misdiagnosis of serious causes of dizziness. In the spirit of the flipped classroom, the editors of this Neurologic Clinics issue on emergency neuro-otology have assembled a collection of unknown cases to be accessed electronically in multimedia format. By design, cases are not linked with specific articles, to avoid untoward cueing effects for the learner. The cases are real and are meant to demonstrate and reinforce lessons provided in this and subsequent articles. In addition to pertinent elements of medical history, cases include videos of key examination findings.

Using the Physical Examination to Diagnose Patients with Acute Dizziness and Vertigo

BACKGROUND

Emergency department (ED) patients who present with acute dizziness or vertigo can be challenging to diagnose. Roughly half have general medical disorders that are usually apparent from the context, associated symptoms, or initial laboratory tests. The rest include a mix of common inner ear disorders and uncommon neurologic ones, particularly vertebrobasilar strokes or posterior fossa mass lesions. In these latter cases, misdiagnosis can lead to serious adverse consequences for patients.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to assist emergency physicians to use the physical examination effectively to make a specific diagnosis in patients with acute dizziness or vertigo.

DISCUSSION

Recent evidence indicates that the physical examination can help physicians accurately discriminate between benign inner ear conditions and dangerous central ones, enabling correct management of peripheral vestibular disease and avoiding dangerous misdiagnoses of central ones. Patients with the acute vestibular syndrome mostly have vestibular neuritis, but some have stroke. Data suggest that focused eye movement examinations, at least when performed by specialists, are more sensitive for detecting early stroke than brain imaging, including diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with the triggered episodic vestibular syndrome mostly have benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), but some have posterior fossa mass lesions. Specific positional tests to provoke nystagmus can confirm a BPPV diagnosis at the bedside, enabling immediate curative therapy, or indicate the need for imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency physicians can effectively use the physical examination to make a specific diagnosis in patients with acute dizziness or vertigo. They must understand the limitations of brain imaging. This may reduce misdiagnosis of serious central causes of dizziness, including posterior circulation stroke and posterior fossa mass lesions, and improve resource utilization.

Ischemic syndromes causing dizziness and vertigo

Dizziness/vertigo and imbalance are the most common symptoms of vertebrobasilar ischemia. Even though dizziness/vertigo usually accompanies other neurologic symptoms and signs in cerebrovascular disorders, a diagnosis of isolated vascular vertigo is increasing markedly by virtue of recent developments in clinical neurotology and neuroimaging. It is important to differentiate isolated vertigo of a vascular cause from more benign disorders involving the inner ear, since therapeutic strategies and prognosis differ between these two conditions. Over the last decade, we have achieved a marked development in the understanding and diagnosis of vascular dizziness/vertigo. Introduction of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has greatly enhanced detection of infarctions in patients with vascular dizziness/vertigo, especially in the posterior-circulation territories. However, well-organized bedside neurotologic evaluation is even more sensitive than MRI in detecting acute infarction as a cause of spontaneous prolonged vertigo. Furthermore, detailed evaluation of strategic infarctions has elucidated the function of various vestibular structures of the brainstem and cerebellum. In contrast, diagnosis of isolated labyrinthine infarction still remains a challenge. This diagnostic difficulty also applies to isolated transient dizziness/vertigo of vascular origin. Regarding the common nonlacunar mechanisms in the acute vestibular syndrome from small infarctions, individual strategies may be indicated to prevent recurrences of stroke in patients with vascular vertigo.

Approach to dizziness in the emergency department

Acute dizziness/vertigo is among the most common causes for visiting the emergency department. The traditional approach to dizziness starts with categorizing dizziness into four types: vertigo, presyncope, disequilibrium, and nonspecific dizziness. However, a recently proposed approach begins with classifying dizziness/vertigo as acute prolonged spontaneous dizziness/vertigo, recurrent spontaneous dizziness/vertigo, recurrent positional vertigo, or chronic persistent dizziness and imbalance. Vestibular neuritis and stroke are key disorders causing acute prolonged spontaneous dizziness/vertigo, but the diagnosis of isolated vascular vertigo has increased by virtue of developments in clinical neurotology and neuroimaging. However, a well-organized bedside examination appears more sensitive than brain imaging in diagnosing strokes presenting with acute dizziness/vertigo. A detailed history is vital to diagnose recurrent spontaneous dizziness/vertigo since confirmatory diagnostic tests are usually unavailable. Isolated positional vertigo is usually caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, which can be treated at the bedside. In recent years, marked progress has occurred in the evaluation/management of acute dizziness/vertigo. However, even with developments in imaging technology, the diagnosis of acute dizziness/vertigo largely relies on bedside examination.

Is the long-term prognosis of transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke affected by the occurrence of nonfocal symptoms?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In patients with a transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke, nonfocal neurological symptoms, such as confusion and nonrotatory dizziness, may be associated with a higher risk of vascular events. We assessed the relationship between nonfocal symptoms and the long-term risk of vascular events or death in patients with a transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke.

METHODS

We related initial symptoms with outcome events in 2409 patients with a transient ischemic attack (n=723) or minor ischemic stroke (n=1686), included in the Life Long After Cerebral ischemia cohort. All patients underwent a standardized interview on the occurrence of focal and nonfocal neurological symptoms during the qualifying event. The primary outcome was the composite of any stroke, myocardial infarction, or vascular death. Secondary outcomes were all-cause death, vascular death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Hazard ratios were calculated with Cox regression.

RESULTS

Focal symptoms were accompanied by nonfocal symptoms in 739 (31%) patients. During a mean follow-up of 10.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in 1313 (55%) patients. There was no difference in the risk of the primary outcome between patients with both focal and nonfocal symptoms and patients with focal symptoms alone (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% confidence interval, 0.86-1.09; P=0.60). The risk of each of the secondary outcomes was also similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

About one third of the patients with a transient ischemic attack or minor ischemic stroke has both focal and nonfocal neurological symptoms. Nonfocal symptoms are not associated with an increased long-term risk of vascular events or death.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial was not registered because enrollment began before July 1, 2005.