“Though the initial 90-day period continues to be the riskiest time for another stroke, there is a clear need for ongoing risk reduction strategies and monitoring of patients in the long term,” says Dr. Vignan Yogendrakumar. “There is room for improvement in reducing the long-term risk and burden of stroke—a responsibility of both health-care providers and patients alike.”The risk of another, more severe stroke remains elevated for at least 10 years after a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), according to a new study published in JAMA. While care has primarily focused on the first 90 days after the initial stroke or TIA, this research suggests that a focus on improved and longer-term stroke prevention care could save lives.
In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 171,068 patients, researchers found that the risk of a subsequent stroke after a minor stroke or TIA continues to rise every year, reaching 6 per cent in the first year, 13 per cent within five years, and 20 per cent within 10 years. Around 10 percent of all subsequent strokes are fatal.
“Though the initial 90-day period continues to be the riskiest time for another stroke, there is a clear need for ongoing risk reduction strategies and monitoring of patients in the long term,” says Dr. Vignan Yogendrakumar, co-lead of the study and stroke neurologist and associate scientist at The Ottawa Hospital and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa. “There is room for improvement in reducing the long-term risk and burden of stroke—a responsibility of both health-care providers and patients alike.”
The study was an international collaboration led by researchers at the University of Calgary, with significant contributions from current and former researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, including Drs. Faizan Khan, Vignan Yogendrakumar and Ronda Lun.
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Canada Research Chair Program, University of Ottawa, National Institutes of Health.
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