Cerebral Infarction

Question 1

Anatomical structures affected?

Answer 1

All parts of the brain

Arteries to the brain - atherosclerosis

Arteries within the brain - atherosclerosis

Could be caused by dilates atria that allows blood clots to form.

Question 2

What happens to the brain?

Answer 2

Ischaemia

Necrosis

Incr intercranial pressure

Oedema

Damage to nerve cells

Question 3

What prior events lead up to cerebral infarction?

Answer 3

Smoking

High BP/cholesterol

Diabetes

Atrial fibrillation

TIA (mini stroke)

Question 4

Symptoms?

Answer 4

Weakness of arm/leg on one side of the body

Slurred speech

Drooping of corner of the mouth

Dysphagia (can’t swallow)

Expressive Dysphasia (can’t find the right words)

Question 5

Clinical signs?

Answer 5

Atrial fibrillation

High BP

Bruit ( heart turbulent blood flow) next to carotid artery in the neck.

Question 6

Test results?

Answer 6

Brain CT/ MRI show swelling, ischaemia, infarction, necrosis.

Ultrasound of carotid artery shows narrowing.

Echocardiogram shows blood clots

ECG shows atrial fibrillation (absent p waves)

Question 7

How to treat?

Answer 7

Thrombolytic drugs to break blood clots in the artery.

Warfarin

Antiplatelet drugs e.g. Aspirin

Decr high BP