It is critical to determine the cause of the TIA to prevent a worse stroke. Stroke Treatment TIAs can be treated while the physicians work up the cause. The TIA's cause is determined by obtaining a good history and physical examination, and assessing an individual patient's risk factors. Your physician, based on analysis of all the factors, determines which test to use. Since ischemic strokes are most common, we shall review the treatment options available.
Medical management consists of correcting risk factors and using blood thinners when appropriate.
Surgical management consists of relieving the stenosis by surgically opening the carotid artery in the neck and removing the plaque. An additional procedure, called endovascular stenting, can be used, as well. In this procedure, a small steel tube, covering a tiny balloon, is threaded up into the carotid artery using angiogram techniques. Once in position, the balloon is inflated and the steel stent expands, compressing the plaque and opening the artery without surgery. The stent remains in the body forever.