Objective: To investigate the relationship between the clinical features of carotid transient ischemic attacks (TIA) and the intracranial or extracranial angiostenosis.
Methods: Location and degree of stenosis of involved arteries were examined by the digital subtraction angiography in 52 patients with carotid TIA.
Results: Intracranial or extracranial vascular lesions of different degrees were revealed in 45 patients (86.5%), and 29 out of 45 (64.4%) had more than one site. Severe stenosis and occlusion occurred more frequently in TIA patients with short duration (less than 1 hour) and multiple attacks (more than twice).
Conclusion: Most patients with TIA of carotid systems have stenosis in intracranial or extracranial arteries. TIA with short duration and multiple attacks always accompany with severe stenosis or occlusion in intracranial or extracranial arteries. Digital subtraction angiography helps to identify the vascular etiology of TIA and provides the instruction of therapeutic regimen.