Angiographic investigation of patients with transient ischaemic attacks.

Among the various manifestations of cerebro- vascular disease none is more important than the phenomenon of transient ischaemic attacks. This importance stems from the fact that, though these short-lived disturbances of neurological function may continue for years without apparent detriment to the patient, they often give warning of an im- pending stroke. Most commonly they are associated with atherosclerosis; in addition there are precipitat- ing factors which include anaemia (Siekert, Whisnant, and Millikan 1960,) polycythaemia (Millikan, Siekert, and Whisnant 1960), hypotensive episodes (Denny-Brown and Meyer, 1957), hypertensive episodes As these precipitating factors occur in only a small proportion, probably not more than 5%, of the patients who comewith transient ischaemic attacks as their presenting complaint, it is important to obtain further understanding of the genesis of their attacks and this may be achieved by visualizing the vessels supplying the brain by angiographic means.