A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is best described as which of the following?

A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is best described as which of the following?

• A. Happens in a thrombotic or embolic situation and symptoms resolve within 24 hours with no brain tissue damage.
• B. Lasts longer than 24 hours and damages brain tissue
• C. Always results in permanent brain injury
• D. Only occurs after a hemorrhagic stroke

Answer: (A)

TIAs are brief episodes of brain ischemia that temporarily disrupt neurologic function but do not cause lasting tissue damage. They occur when a clot momentarily blocks a cerebral artery—due to a thrombus or an embolus—and the blockage resolves, so symptoms are fully reversible within 24 hours. Because there is no infarction, imaging typically shows no brain tissue damage. This distinguishes TIAs from strokes, where the symptoms last longer and result in permanent brain injury. TIAs are ischemic, not hemorrhagic, so they aren’t due to bleeding in the brain.

TIAs are brief episodes of brain ischemia that temporarily disrupt neurologic function but do not cause lasting tissue damage. They occur when a clot momentarily blocks a cerebral artery—due to a thrombus or an embolus—and the blockage resolves, so symptoms are fully reversible within 24 hours. Because there is no infarction, imaging typically shows no brain tissue damage. This distinguishes TIAs from strokes, where the symptoms last longer and result in permanent brain injury. TIAs are ischemic, not hemorrhagic, so they aren’t due to bleeding in the brain.