Abstract: Objective To explore whether transient ischemic attack(TIA) is significantly associated with subsequent cerebral infarction.Methods A total of 206 patients were enrolled in this study and were divided into TIA(n=103) and non-TIA(N-TIA, n=103) groups, based on presence or absence of TIA before the ischemic cerebral infarction occurrence. The cerebral infarct volume and Modified Edinburgh-Scandinavia Stroke Scale(MESSS) were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, multiple linear model analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of TIA duration, TIA frequency, the interval between TIA and cerebral infarction on the volume of infarction and MESSS scores in patients who had TIA before. Results The volume of cerebral infarction(VCI) and MESSS score in patients with TIA were significantly lower than those of the N-TIA group(P<0.05). TIA duration, TIA frequency and interval between TIA and cerebral infarction were significantly associated with VCI and MESSS(P<0.05). Conclusion Prior TIA may have a positive impact on the cells of brain. The duration and frequency of TIA, and the interval between TIA and cerebral infarction are independent risk factors of VCI and MESSS.

Key words: transient ischemic attacks, ischemic tolerance, cerebral infarction