Point-of-care ultrasound for transient ischemic attack assessment in transient ischemic attack clinics: Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Neurosonology

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the benefits offered by rapid-access transient ischemic attack (TIA) clinics for the early assessment of patients with suspected TIA. These clinics, designed to deliver specialized diagnoses and treatments, play an important role in mitigating the risk of stroke recurrence. Most of these clinics benefit from using ultrasound diagnostic imaging conducted by qualified neurologists, which guides the treatment and management of TIA patients. This consensus document, developed by a working group from the Spanish Society of Neurosonology, introduces a novel concept for point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), specifically focusing on optimizing the diagnostic process for TIA patients in the outpatient setting. The aim is to encourage experienced neurovascular clinicians to adopt a standardized, disease-oriented POCUS that can identify ultrasonographic findings related to the underlying cause of the TIA. Additionally, the document seeks to centralize the recommended diagnostic evaluations for TIA patients. By doing so, the goal is to optimize the diagnostic workup and subsequent treatment performed by the neurologist, fostering a more cohesive and effective approach to managing TIA cases.