[Correlative study of carotid transient ischemic attacks and intracranial or extracranial angiostenosis].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the clinical features of carotid transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and the intracranial or extracranial angiostenosis.

METHODS

Location and degree of stenosis of involved arteries were examined by the digital subtraction angiography in 52 patients with carotid TIA.

RESULTS

Intracranial or extracranial vascular lesions of different degrees were revealed in 45 patients (86.5%), and 29 out of 45 (64.4%) had more than one site. Severe stenosis and occlusion occurred more frequently in TIA patients with short duration (less than 1 hour) and multiple attacks (more than twice).

CONCLUSION

Most patients with TIA of carotid systems have stenosis in intracranial or extracranial arteries. TIA with short duration and multiple attacks always accompany with severe stenosis or occlusion in intracranial or extracranial arteries. Digital subtraction angiography helps to identify the vascular etiology of TIA and provides the instruction of therapeutic regimen.