Background: To determine a pattern of symptoms and/or risk factors that distinguishes transient ischemic attack (TIA) from nonischemic causes of transient neurologic attacks (NI-TNA). Methods: We reviewed demographic, clinical, and hospital data on 100 consecutive patients with transient focal neurologic episode(s) lasting less than 24 h and in whom the initial diagnosis was TIA. After inpatient evaluation and review, final diagnoses were made by two stroke neurologists. Using stepwise multivariable logistic regression, we estimated odds ratios (OR) for independent predictors of NI-TNA. p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 100 patients, 40 were confirmed to have TIA and 60 NI-TNA. Compared to TIA patients, those with NI-TNA were less likely to be male and white but more likely to have a history of prior unexplained TNA, gradual symptom onset, associated nonspecific symptoms, longer symptom duration, and delayed presentation. Other variables were similar between the two groups. In a multivariable logistic regression model, gradual symptom onset (adjusted OR 6.7, p = 0.002), prior history of unexplained transient neurologic attack (adjusted OR 10.6, p = 0.031), and presence of nonspecific symptoms (adjusted OR 4.2, p = 0.008) were independent predictors of the final diagnosis of NI-TNA. Conclusions: Distinguishing TIA from nonischemic causes is difficult in the emergency room, with 60% of suspected TIA patients having nonischemic causes on inpatient evaluation. We found 3 clinical features that may be useful in the emergency room triage of transient neurologic attacks. Further study is needed to develop tools that can accurately diagnose TIA.
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a relatively common heterogeneous and multifactorial disorder often caused by autonomic dysfunction. This condition has a deleterious impact on quality of life and contributes to higher mortality rates. Supine hypertension is very common in patients with autonomic failure, limits the use of pressor agents, and can result in end-organ damage. Current recommendations on the optimal management of these patients are based on expert opinion and poor-quality small cross-sectional studies including patients with primary autonomic failure and severe orthostatic hypotension. The authors present their treatment approach in 12 patients with disabling orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension not related to primary autonomic failure, presenting to a referral center over a 4-year period. The first step is to educate the patient about the pathophysiology and course of their disorder. Nonpharmacologic therapies and maneuvers are usually effective in relieving symptoms and preventing syncope. If needed, pharmacologic options such as fludrocortisones and midodrine are also available in patients with severe symptoms. Supine hypertension represents a challenge in the treatment of this condition. Therefore, elevation of the bed of the head and dosing of short-acting antihypertensive agents at bedtime is often indicated. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich).
Hypothyroidism may cause decreased cardiac output and heart failure-and when severe, bradycardia and pericardial effusions may develop. Chemotherapies, particularly doxorubicin, are known and often irreversible causes of cardiomyopathy. As such, when cardiomyopathy develops in patients who have been exposed to anthracycline chemotherapy, the importance of ruling out other reversible causes such as hypothyroidism cannot be overstated. We present a case of acute systolic heart failure in a patient post-doxorubicin chemotherapy and radiation therapy for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, found to have severe hypothyroidism as a reversible cause of cardiomyopathy.
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