Lancet neurology
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Evidence is available on the effectiveness and costs of treatments to reduce stroke risk in long-term secondary prevention. However, there are few data on the costs and outcomes of urgent assessment and treatment after the onset of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke. The Early use of eXisting PREventive Strategies for Stroke (EXPRESS) study showed that urgent assessment and treatment reduced the 90-day risk of recurrent stroke by about 80%. We now report the effect of the EXPRESS intervention on admissions to hospital, costs, and disability. ⋯ Urgent assessment and treatment of patients with TIA or minor stroke who were referred to a specialist outpatient clinic reduced subsequent hospital bed-days, acute costs, and 6-month disability.
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Comment Letter
Management of emergent TIA: a new era in stroke prevention.