aetiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

Most TIA's result from ischaemic cerebral infarction, primarily due to small cerebral emboli that are often loose aggregates of platelets which lyse quickly; 5-10% are estimated to arise from the heart.

TIA's rarely result from intracranial haemorrhage.

Other causes of TIA's include:

  • giant cell arteritis
  • polyarteritis nodosa
  • SLE
  • arterial trauma
  • haematological diseases