Summary

Although the definition of transient ischemic attack (TIA) was updated in 2009 [Easton JD et al. Stroke 2009], no formal update of the definition of stroke has been undertaken since 1980. This article discusses the major aspects of the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) Expert Consensus Document on stroke [Sacco RL et al. Stroke 2013]. The new document incorporates clinical and tissue criteria of importance to clinical practice, research, and public health assessments in a newly updated definition of stroke.