MIDNOR-TIA - a Study of 600 Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack

MIDNOR-TIA - a Prospective Cohort Study of 600 TIA Patients in Central Norway

Patients with a transient ischemic attack (TIA) are at high risk of stroke. Rapid assessment and treatment can reduce the risk. Several international guidelines recommend a test, the ABCD2 score, to identify TIA patients with low and high risk for stroke. The main purpose of this study is to investigate stroke risk after TIA in both short (1 week) and long term (3 months/1 year), and to assess whether the ABCD2 score ('Age, blood pressure, clinical features, duration of TIA, diabetes score) is an adequate tool for predicting stroke risk. Secondary aims are to explore whether adopting imaging modalities (ultrasound, MRI) and biological markers of blood into a risk score could improve the predictive value of the ABCD2 score and still be feasible in a daily clinical practice. Further on overall risk factors in TIA patients, and the incidence of other vascular events will be studied. A substudy designed as a randomised controlled trial evaluates pharmaceutical counseling in a subset of participants. Cost-benefit analysis, and a long-term follow-up (5 years) is planned.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Probable or possible transient ischemic attack
• Residing in Central Norway
• Examined within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms
• Modified Rankin Scale 3 or less and living at home
• Informed consent