Clinical diagnosis of new acute stroke
Once a diagnosis of TIA or stroke has been made investigations are performed to determine the potential underlying causes.
After an ischaemic stroke or TIA treatments would usually include antiplatelets or anticoagulants.
After a haemorrhagic stroke management is usually focused on identifying and treating the underlying cause.
Brain imaging is performed to differentiate between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke.
Occasionally brain imaging is used after TIA for a similar reason.
Most patients require standard preventative treatments.
Some rare causes will need specific treatments e.g. antibiotics for bacterial endocarditis, steroids for giant cell arteritis.
Page last reviewed: 18 Jan 2021
