Cerebral Infarction Flashcards
What are the risk factors and epidemiology of stroke?
Modifiable Risk factors:
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol
- Obesity
- History of cardiac disease
Non-modifiable Risk Factors:
- Male
- Being old (>65)
- Had stroke previously
- Family history of stroke
What are the stroke subtypes?
TACS – Total Anterior Circulation Stroke
PACS – Partial Anterior Circulation Stroke
LACS – Lacunar Stroke
POCS – Posterior Circulation Stroke
What are the anatomical brain and vascular localisation of stroke?
Middle Cerebral Artery
Anterior Cerebral Artery
The basal ganglia is a commonly affected area of the brain in strokes.
What is the acute treatment of stroke?
Acute treatment of stroke:
1) Restore blood flow to area of brain starved of blood/O2
2) Prevent extension of ischaemic damage
3) Protect vulnerable brain tissue
4) The above can be achieved using the following:
- IV TPA (Tissue plasminogen activator – to be used < 4.5 hours from symptom onset and when symptoms have been present for > 60minutes)
- Aspirin
- Thrombectomy
- Take them to a specialist stroke unit
What is the secondary prevention of stroke?
Anti-hypertensives
Anti-platelets (blood thinners)
Lipid lowering agents
Warfarin for AF (anticoagulant)
Carotid endarterectomy
What is the role of stroke units in organised stroke care?
Stroke units improve stroke patient outcomes by 6%
Stroke units have the following team members:
Clinical staff
Stroke nurses
Physio’s
Speech and language therapists
OT’s
Dietician
Psychologist
What is the definition of stroke?
Stroke is the sudden onset of focal or general neurological symptoms caused by ischaemia or hameorrhage and lasting > 24 hours
What is the definition of TIA?
The suddent onset of focal or general neurological symptoms caused by ischaemia or hameorrhage lasting < 24 hours
