The ABCD2 score is a medical research study used to determine the risk of future strokes following with a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
Abcd2 is based on four parameters (blood pressure, age, clinical features, the interval of TIA, and presence of diabetes). These parameters are then added to predict a score between zero and seven. The higher the score more the risk. If a person is having high abcd2 score, then they are referred to a specialist sooner.
On the other hand, some other risks are also involved like atrial fibrillation, anticoagulation treatment and ongoing TIA are also relevant to it.
| Age | Blood Pressure | Clinical Features | Duration of TIA | Diabetes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| no Point | <60 Years | normal | no speech disturbance and no unilateral (one-sided) weekness | <10 minutes | no diabetes |
| 1 Point | ≥ 60 years | raised (≥ 140/90 mmHg) | speech disturbance present but no unilateral weakness | 10 - 59 minutes | diabetes present |
| 2 Point | - | - | unilateral weakness | ≥ 60 years | - |
The score is based on four factors. For example, a person aged above 60 years of age (1 point) with high blood pressure (1 point) and without diabetes (0 point) and experienced a TIA lasting 10 minutes (1 point) and having speech disturbance but having no weakness on one side of the body (1 point), this analysis predicts the total score is 4 points.
Here is the risk of stroke estimated with abcd2 score is as follows:
Risk of stroke in 2 days and 7 days is mentioned.
Consider consulting with a neurologist to consider whether a patient needs to be inpatient or considered out-patient when suitable.
Patients with a high risk of developing a stroke:
In patients with low risk of developing a stroke:
Following are some diagnosis to detect and assess the risk of stroke in a person.
Physical examination and tests: Doctors may check risk by checking blood pressure, cholesterol level in the blood, level, and history of diabetes and high levels of homocysteine and amino acids.
Doctors also use a stethoscope to observe the bruit sound over the arteries that indicates atherosclerosis.
Carotid ultrasonography: A transducer (wand-like device) that sends high-frequency into the neck. The sound waves pass through the tissues and produce images that are afterward analyzed by the doctor and lookup for the narrowing of Carotid Arteries.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan: CT scan of the head by using X-rays which produces a 3D look of the brain for better scrutiny.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Resembling CT scan also produces a composite 3D look of the brain by the use of a strong magnetic field.
Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): Using magnetic fields as similar to MRI. This method is used to evaluate arteries inside the brain and neck.
Arteriography: This is a more advanced technique to get a better view of arteries in the brain as compared to X-rays. In this procedure, a radiologist puts a thin, flexible catheter through a small cut, commonly in groin.
The catheter is operated into the major arteries and in the carotid or in the vertebral artery. After that, the radiologist inserts a dye through the catheter which produces an X-ray image of arteries in the brain.
Online ABCD scores TIA calculators: this online calculator is most probably used for quick analysis of scorekeeping the physical (visible) elements like age, diabetes history, and others.
Our tool quickly generates Tia score after interpreting the data inserted in it.
There are some options given to fill up with yes or no:
• Age <60
• BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg
• History of diabetes
• Clinical features of the TIA (Unilateral weakness, Speech disturbance without weakness and other symptoms)
• Duration of symptoms (10-59 minutes or >60 minutes)
Filling up these will generate a score and which can be used to determine the percentage risk or of ABCD score stroke.