Clinical Prediction Rule for Treatment Change Based on Echocardiogram Findings in Transient Ischemic Attack and Non-Disabling Stroke

Abstract

The goal of this study was to derive a clinical prediction rule for transient ischemic attack (TIA) and non-disabling stroke to predict a treatment change based on echocardiogram. Methods: We conducted a cohort sub-study for TIA and non-disabling stroke patients collected over five years from 8 Emergency Departments. We compiled a list of 27 potential predictors to look for treatment change based on echocardiogram findings. We used a univariate, logistic regression and recursive partitioning analysis to develop the final prediction model. Results: The frequency of treatment change was seen in 87 (3.1%) of 2804 cases. The final model contains six predictors: age less than 50 years old, coronary artery disease history, history of heart failure, any language deficit, posterior circulation infarct and middle cerebral artery infarct on neuroimaging. Conclusions: We have developed a highly sensitive clinic prediction rule to guide in the use of echocardiogram in TIA and non-disabling stroke.