5. Stroke Flashcards
Define stroke
Interruption of the blood supply to a focal part of the brain causing loss of neurological function
Symptoms last >24 hours or lead to death with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin
Define a TIA (transient ischaemic attack)
Same cause as a stroke i.e. blockage to blood supply to brain leading to loss of neuro function
However, symptoms lasting <24 hours
3 different types of stroke?
- Ischaemic: 80-85%
- Haemorrhagic: 15%
- Subarachnoid haemorrhage: 5%
Causes of haemorrhagic stroke?
Hypertension Tumour Bleeding disorder Vascular malformation Amyloid angiopathy
Causes of ischaemic stroke?
Cardioembolism
Large vessel artherothrombosis
Cardiac course: Small vessel disease, carotid/vertebral dissection, watershed areas
Hypoperfusion
What is the progression of the brain tissue in an ischaemic stroke?
In the CORE zone, which is an area of severe ischemia (blood flow below 10% to 25%), the loss of oxygen and glucose results in rapid depletion of energy stores. Severe ischemia can result in necrosis of neurons and also of supporting cellular elements (glial cells) within the severely ischemic area.
Brain cells within the PENUMBRA, a rim of mild to moderately ischemic tissue lying between tissue that is normally perfused and the area in which infarction is evolving, may remain viable for several hours. That is because the penumbral zone is supplied with blood by collateral arteries anastomosing with branches of the occluded vascular tree (see inset). However, even cells in this region will die if reperfusion is not established during the early hours since collateral circulation is inadequate to maintain the neuronal demand for oxygen and glucose indefinitely.
How many neurones are lost per year due to aging?
30 million neuron loss per year in normal ageing
How can cerebral autoregulation be impacked by bp and age?
In cerebral autoregulation alter diameter in order to maintain cerebral perfusion
- Impeded if bp too high as there is force dilation, increased flow and vadogenic Oedema
- If bp too low leads to impaired dilation, artery collapse and then ischemia
- Older arteries are stiffer which is a problem
What is the anterior circulation supply to the brain?
From the internal carotids. Supply the:
- -> Anterior 3/5 of the cerebrum
- -> Diencephalon
Main branches:
- Middle cerebral artery (MCA)
- Anterior cerebral artery (ACA)
- Striate arteries
What is the posterior circulation supply to the brain?
Via the vertebrobasilar arteries Supplies: -Posterior 2/5 of the cerebrum -Diencephalon -Cerebellum -Brainstem Main branches: -Posterior cerebral arteries -Striate and thalamus -Pontine -Cerebellar
S&S of stroke and TIA?
Diplopia Ataxia Hemianopia (Stroke > TIA) Speech loss (TIA> stroke) Sensory loss (stroke > TIA) Motor loss (Stroke > TIA)
What is diplopia?
Double vision
What is hemianopia?
Blindness over half the field of vision
Key things to look for in examination in vascular neurology?
• BP and pulse measurement in 2 arms
• Conscious level (GCS; document breakdown)
• Cardiac and carotid bruits
• BM/blood glucose value
• Neck stiffness/meningism (Kernig’s/Brudzinski signs)
• Abnormal or involuntary movements
• Any seizure-like activity
• Skin rash/infarcts e.g. vasculitic, papular rash
• Specific neurological
- eye movements (gaze preference,fixed deviation)
- speech, visual fields, inattention, motor & sensory
- gait assessment
Name 3 different ways to classify a stroke?
Oxford Community Stroke Project (OCSP)
- Clinical classification
TOAST classification
-Mechanism classification (e.g. large or small vessel, cardioembolic)
Carotid or vertebrobasilar territory
-Location classification
What are the 4 subtypes in the OCSP classifications of stroke?
- Total Anterior Circulation Syndrome (TACS)
- Partial Anterior Circulation Syndrome (PACS)
- Lacunar Syndrome (LACS)
- Posterior Circulation Syndrome (POCS)
What is seen/affected in LACS in the OCSP classification of strokes?
Pure motor
Pure sensory
Sensorimotor
Ataxic hemiparesis (paralysis on half body)