TIA (basilar artery) — as [rare] cause of recent LOC

Suspect if

• Severe Vertigo prior to LOC
• Previous episodes of posterior circulation symptoms:
  • vertigo, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia
  • ataxia, visual field loss
  • contralateral face-body numbness
• Stroke risk factors (but these are also risks for cardiac syncope)

Work-Up for TIA (not stroke)

• MR-Angiogram or CT-Angiogram of Head and Neck
• Echocardiogram (if suspect emboli)

See postings on Loss of Consciousness:  LOC-1 and LOC-2.