Abstract
Objective: Based on the ABCD2 score, the predictive value of DWI and CTA combined with the risk of cerebral infarction after a short-term TIA was evaluated. Methods: A total of 170 patients with TIA (average age 62.4±5.4 years) were selected consecutively from January 2015 to June 2017 in this hospital. All patients underwent DWI and CTA examinations and were followed up for 3 months. The ABCD2 score, DWI positive results, and CTA diagnosis of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) were recorded at 7 and 3 months, respectively, to evaluate the predictive value of all patients with a short-term cerebral infarction risk. Results: Of the 170 patients, 68 (40%) were DWI positive and 43 (25%) were diagnosed with LAA. Unilateral limb weakness in DWI-positive patients (OR=2.3; 95% CI, 1.1-4.8), duration of TIA symptoms ≥ 60 minutes (OR=3.7; 95% CI, 1.4-9.9), ABCD2 >5 (OR=5.4); 95% CI, 1.5-18.8), LAA (OR=2.7; 95% CI, 1.3 to 5.5). During follow-up, 1 case of cerebral infarction occurred within 7 days, and 6 cases of cerebral infarction occurred within 7 days to 3 months. ABCD2 score was greater than 5 (OR=24.4; 95% CI, 2.5-238.7), and DWI positive result (OR=9.8; 95% CI, 1.1-83.1), LAA (OR=20.4; 95% CI, 2.4-175.1). With the exception of one patient, patients with cerebral infarction within 3 months were all positive for DWI. The ABCD2 score, DWI positive results, and LAA were associated with an increased risk of cerebral infarction at 7 days and 3 months. Conclusion: The introduction of DWI and CTA examinations based on the ABCD2 score as an aid can improve the ability to predict stroke risk after TIA.
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