General Medical Information

Transient Ischemic Attacks

Frank E. Lucente
Samir Shah
Roger Kula

Narrowing of the internal carotid artery or middle cerebral artery can be associated with contralateral transient muscle weakness or sensory disturbances referred to as transient ischemic attacks. If the left or dominant hemisphere is involved, there may be a speech disturbance. Intermittent blindness can occur in the ipsilateral eye (amaurosis fugax). If the internal carotid artery is involved, a bruit may be heard in the neck.