In the Literature
LITERATURE AT A GLANCE
Use this guide to find the abstracts below that correspond to these recent clinical findings
- 24-hour TIA clinic improves outcomes.
- More rapid treatment after TIA and minor stroke reduce risk for recurrent stroke.
- Prasugrel more efficacious than clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome, but with higher bleeding rates.
- Zoledronic acid use after hip fracture repair reduces probability of new fractures.
- No benefit in quality measures and resource use for surgical patients receiving medical consultation.
- Pediatric RRTs reduce mortality rate.
- Influenza vaccinations prevent hospitalization, death among elderly.
- Chlorhexidine bathing reduces catheter-associated bloodstream infections.
- Chlorhexidine-based antiseptic solution reduces rates of catheter-associated infections
Would 24-hour Hospital Clinic Reduce LOS, Stroke Risk?
Background: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) precede up to 25% of completed strokes and can provide opportunity for critical intervention if identified early. A specialty clinic with immediate access to imaging facilities could provide early identification and intervention.
Study design: Cohort study statistical analysis of data.
Setting: SOS-TIA hospital clinic in Paris.
Synopsis: A leaflet about TIA with a toll-free telephone number for SOS-TIA was sent to 15,000 family doctors, cardiologists, neurologists, and ophthalmologists in Paris. Between January 2003 and December 2005, 1,085 patients with suspected TIA were admitted to the clinic. The median duration of symptoms was 15 minutes. All patients were started on a stroke-prevention program, 5% had urgent carotid revascularization, and 5% were treated for atrial fibrillation with anticoagulants. Further, 74% of all patients seen were sent home the same day. The 90-day stroke rate was 1.24%; the rate predicted was 5.96%. Limitations of the study included selective patient recruitment from family doctors and office-based specialists. Also, the study lacked a randomized control group.
Bottom line: Prompt evaluation and treatment of patients in a dedicated TIA clinic is associated with a lower stroke risk. The TIA clinic also may lower costs via decreased length of hospital stay.
Citation: Lavallee P, Meseguer E, Abboud H, et al. A transient ischemic attack clinic with round the clock access (SOS-TIA): feasibility and effects. Lancet Neurol. 2007;6(11):953-960.
