Cerebral Infarction (Stroke)

Question 1

What structural abnormalities cause Stroke?

Answer 1

Disease of walls of arteries going to or within brain e.g. atherosclerosis
Dilated atria cause blood clots

Question 2

What happens to the brain in stroke?

Answer 2

Ischaemia of brain tissue
Necrosis of brain tissue
Raised intracranial pressure due to oedema

Question 3

What are the risk factors for Cerebral Infarction?

Answer 3

Smoking 
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolaemia
Diabetes 
Atrial Fibrilation 
Warning TIAs (Transient Ischaemic attacks)

Question 4

What are the symptoms of Stroke?

Answer 4

Weakness of arm or leg on one side
Slurring of speech
Drooping corner of mouth
Dysphagia
Inability to find right words (expressive dysphasia)
Inability to understand words of others (expressive dysphasia)

Question 5

What are the clinical signs of Stroke?

Answer 5

Possible evidence of AF
Possible hypertension
Possible bruit (noise of turbulent flow caused by atherosclerosis with narrowing heard over carotid artery in neck)

Question 6

How is stroke treated?

Answer 6

Thrombolytic drugs may be given

Question 7

How are strokes prevented?

Answer 7

Warfarin for patients with AF
Anti-platelet drugs for patients with carotid atherosclerosis
Management of high BP