Introduction

Ischaemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) are part of a patho-physiological continuum of cerebrovascular disease.

Strokes and TIAs result from one of three main aetiologies:

• Large artery atherothromboembolism (intracranial/extracranial)
• Small vessel disease
• Embolism from a cardiac source

Other causes include:

• Carotid or vertebral artery dissection
• Hypercoagulable states
• Sickle cell disease
• ‘Undetermined’ aetiology

Further details on carotid or vertebral artery dissection are presented later in this session, and also in the following session:

• Cervical Artery Dissection