Medication Alone (Plavix) vs. Post TIA angiography (stents/balloon) and medication? Which is best? My father is 81 and on thanksgiving experienced a TIA. We got him to a University Hospital (SUNY/Syracuse) which is a teaching hospital and a designated Stroke Center. He was completely out of it for about 20 hours. Then improved and was about 65 % back and after another day he had practically completely recovered. During his stay it was determined that he has blockage/plaque in his dominant Vertebral Artery (the amount of blockage remains unclear) and some narrow passage in the P1 segment of the brain. The team treating dad recommended doing an angiography to determine the % of blockage and if greater then 50% put in a stent and also further detemine the level of narrowness in the P1 segment (by continuing to travel through the basilary artery) and do an angioplasty if necessary. The risks associated with such a procedure were explained but the team recommend the procedure and we consented. He was prep'd for the procedure but the Dr scheduled to do the procedure got tied up in an operation that delayed Dad's procedure. During the delay another team of Dr's came in and reviewed Dad's case and recommended against doing the procedure (felt it was invasive/risky for his age) and given Dad's recovery recommended no procedure and treatment with medication Plavix would be fine! I have read that Post TIA is prime time for major strokes and am wondering if Plavix alone and constant check-ups is best or would an angiography and possible stent/plasty be a better in preventing future attacks/stroke. Not knowing the extent of the blockage worries me. Anyone have similar conidition/set of circumstance in determining what is best treatment for preventing future TIA/Strokes?