Is an outpatient workup safe for patients with a transient ischemic attack?

Abstract

There is no compelling evidence that outpatient diagnostic workup of patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) is less safe than inpatient workup, or that hospitalization prevents stroke or improves stroke outcomes after TIA (strength of recommendation [SOR]: C, based on case series studies). Because the risk of stroke is substantial in the week following a TIA (SOR: A, based on a prospective cohort study), evaluation and treatment for reversible stroke risk factors should be initiated urgently and completed within a week of initial presentation (SOR: C, based on expert consensus opinion).