Rationale

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) and cerebrovascular accident (CVA) consist in the acute loss of arterial blood flow to a part of the brain or brainstem, resulting in temporary or permanent loss of function.

Causal Conditions

(list not exhaustive)

1. Ischemia

   1. Thrombotic

   2. Embolic

2. Hemorrhage

   1. Intracerebral and cerebellar

   2. Subarachnoid

Key Objectives

Given a patient with acute neurological deficits (e.g., aphasia, amaurosis fugax), the candidate will obtain an appropriate history and perform a physical examination leading to the possible diagnosis of TIA or CVA, and take action. The candidate will recognize the need for preventive health care in order to decrease the risk of TIA or CVA.

Enabling Objectives

Given a patient with risk factors for a TIA or CVA, the candidate will

1. list and interpret critical clinical findings, including results of a history and physical examination aimed at detecting an early pathology (e.g., bruits, hypertension) that is treatable or correctable.