Faculty of Consulting Physicians of South Africa (FCPSA): Saving brain with dabigatran

摘要

At the FCPSA 2012 congress, Dr Butcher stressed from the outset the urgency of rapid diagnosis in stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA). The presentation of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke has complete overlap, with Dr Butcher noting that 'one is blind until imaging is performed'. Patients with focal neurological deficits (speech issues and weakness) undoubtedly require a scan, but so too do those whose symptoms resolve en route. This is supported by the finding that 50% of TIA patients have evidence of ischaemic infarction on MRI. Early recurrent stroke is also common after a TIA or minor stroke.