RISK-FACTORS FOR CARDIAC DEATH IN PATIENTS WITH A TRANSIENT ISCHEMIC ATTACK OR ISCHEMIC STROKE

740 patients who underwent 24-hour ECG for a neurological indication, including transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke, were fol lowed for 4.7 years. During follow-up, 262 patients died. After review ing the causes of death and the indication for 24-hour ECG. we identif ied 86 patients with a TIA or ischemic stroke who died from a cardiac cause. These cases were compared with 118 control patients with a TIA or ischemic stroke who survived during follow-up or died from a noncar diac cause. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between neurological and cardiac history, 12-lead ECG, precordial echo cardiography and 24-hour ECG, and the occurrence of cardiac death. The following independent risk factors were identified by means of logist ic regression: previous myocardial infarction; diabetes mellitus; pulm onary disease; intraventricular conduction defect or T wave abnormalit ies on standard ECG, and ventricular tachycardia, multiform ventricula r premature complex and doublet or bigeminy on 24-hour ECG. Prognosis with regard to the occurrence of cardiac death in patients with TIA or ischemic stroke depends on cardiac risk factors: none of the neurolog ical variables predicted cardiac death.