CVA Flashcards
Brain attack
Sudden loss of neurological function caused by an interruption of the blood flow to the brain (with effects lasting more than 24 hours)
Early warning signs of stroke
Sudden:
- numbness/weakness of face/arm/leg esp on one side of body
- confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- trouble seeing in one eye
- walking/dizzy/LOB/coordination
- severe headache with no known cause
Is stroke a leading cause of death?
yes.
Which type of stroke is “more survivable”? More prevalent?
Ischemic for both.
Thrombolic ischemic stroke
Atherosclerotic plaques form Intermittent blockage (cerebral vasospasm) may progress to permanent damage. Often take several hours to occlude the artery
Embolic ischemic stroke
From a traveling blood clot into the brain. May come from heart, internal carotid artery, plaque of carotid sinus. Sign of cardiac disease.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
Usually causes massive bleeding in oval or round mass that displaces midline structures, linked to HTN.
Types of Ischemic stroke
Cerebral thrombosis
Cerebral infarction
Cerebral embolis
Types of hemorrhagic stroke
Intracerebral hemorrhage
Aneurysm
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Arteriovenous malformation
What is a TIA?
Transient Ischemic Attack: thrombolic build up paired with vasospasm temporarily cuts off the blood supply. Sx
Which artery is most often occluded with an embolic infarction?
Middle cerebral artery (direct continuation from internal carotid)
Intracranial hemorrhage
rupture of cerebral vessel
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
bleeding into subarachnoid space from saccular or berry aneurysm
What is the leading cause of chronic disability?
Strroke
What are some factors that make you more at risk?
Advanced age, male, AA > Mexican > native american > caucasion, atherosclerosis, hypertension, heart disease/cardiac disorders, diabetes.
high cholesterol, LDL, hematocrit, TIA
Smoking, obesity, sedentary, diet, excess alcohol, family Hx
Ischemic umbra
Core area of focal infarction
Irreversible cellular damage
Ischemic penumbra
Viable, but metabolically lethargic cells
Potentially damaged by ischemic cascade, thus becoming an area of extension of infarction
When does cerebral edema reach its max? When does it resolve?
3-4 days.
2-3 weeks.
What is subclavian seal syndrome?
Narrowing of proximal subclavian artery. blood flows up CL vertebral artery –> circle of WIllis –> ipsilateral vertebral artery to distal subclavian artery
Signs/Symptoms of subclavian steal syndrome
Dizziness, arm claudication
BP difference > 20 mmHg
What does the anterior cerebral artery supply?
Medial aspect of the cerebral hemisphere. (Frontal, parietal lobes, basal ganglia)