Sign Up for a Free Account
  • Updated 06.05.2024
  • Released 12.19.1994
  • Expires For CME 06.05.2027

TIAs (vertebrobasilar)

Introduction

Overview

Transient ischemic attacks in the vertebrobasilar arterial system comprise one fourth of all transient ischemic attacks. Their diagnosis is more difficult than that of ischemic attacks in the anterior circulation and often poses a considerable challenge, even for experts. Moreover, vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks carry a higher risk of acute stroke than carotid territory transient ischemic attacks. Timely recognition of the complex symptoms of vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks offers an opportunity to perform an urgent, comprehensive workup and commence treatment that can forestall the onset of permanently disabling neurologic deficit.

In this article, the authors cover the main epidemiological, clinical, pathophysiological, and etiological topics of vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attacks and comprehensively review the latest assessment tools that identify patients who are at risk of impending post-transient ischemic attack stroke. The authors also note the most recent and relevant information concerning diagnosis, prognosis, and the therapeutic strategies available for patients suffering a transient ischemic attack in the posterior circulation.

A special section is dedicated to covering the most notable clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic facets of a peculiar hemodynamic phenomenon, the subclavian steal syndrome, which may occasionally be responsible for transient ischemia in the posterior circulation.

Key points

• A posterior circulation infarct may be preceded by a transient ischemic attack in one fourth of patients.

• Clinical scores, particularly clinical-plus scores, can help to stratify people who face the highest short-term risk of stroke following transient ischemic attack and can also ensure rapid evaluation and management.

• Brain MRI with diffusion-weighted sequences is the preferred diagnostic neuroimaging method within 24 hours of symptom onset. Subsequently, noninvasive evaluation of vertebral and basilar arteries and heart disease should be done.

• Prompt secondary stroke prevention is warranted after a transient ischemic attack and should be tailored based on risk factors, etiology, and local circumstances.

• Subclavian steal syndrome is often asymptomatic. Neurologic, upper extremity, and – though only very occasionally – coronary symptoms may arise when compensatory mechanisms fail.

• Transient ischemic attacks and, more rarely, infarcts in the posterior circulation may be due to subclavian steal syndrome.

• Sonography is the initial imaging examination when subclavian steal syndrome is suspected.

• Therapeutic interventions, mainly by endovascular approach, are reserved for highly symptomatic patients.

Historical note and terminology

The first clinical description of transient ischemic attack is attributed to Thomas Willis in 1679. In 1911, Marburg described several brainstem syndromes. In 1932, Pines and Gilinsky published clinical details on a patient with a basilar territory infarction. Kubik and Adams later described postmortem material on 18 patients after basilar artery occlusion (12). It was not until 1951 that Fisher used the phrase "brief transient attacks of paralysis" in his description of seven patients with internal carotid occlusion and transient symptoms (12). In a separate publication from the same year, Fisher linked occlusive disease at the carotid bifurcation to "transient episodes of blindness, aphasia, paresthesia and paralysis, transient attacks, premonitory fleeting . . . and transient hemiplegia" (12). The term "vertebrobasilar insufficiency" arose later from the works of Denny-Brown and Millikan and Siekert in the 1950s (12). Currently, the term “vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack” is preferred to those previously mentioned.

This is an article preview.
Start a Free Account
to access the full version.

  • Nearly 3,000 illustrations, including video clips of neurologic disorders.

  • Every article is reviewed by our esteemed Editorial Board for accuracy and currency.

  • Full spectrum of neurology in 1,200 comprehensive articles.

  • Listen to MedLink on the go with Audio versions of each article.

Questions or Comment?

MedLink®, LLC

3525 Del Mar Heights Rd, Ste 304
San Diego, CA 92130-2122

Toll Free (U.S. + Canada): 800-452-2400

US Number: +1-619-640-4660

Support: service@medlink.com

Editor: editor@medlink.com

ISSN: 2831-9125