CVA, TBI, and Coma Flashcards
1
Q
Cerebral Blood Flow
A
-
CNS with high energy use
- requires continuous oxygen and glucose
- almost exclusively aerobic
- no significant energy reserves
- Grey matter more vascularized than white
- White more susceptible to hypoxic-ischemic damage
- Regional blood flow controlled by
- systemic BP
- innervation of vessels
- response to metabolites
- Autoregulation maintains constant flow over wide range of systemic BP
2
Q
Ischemia
vs
Hypoxia
A
Ischemia = lack of blood
- ↓ cerebral blood flow
- ↑ fat/protein breakdown
- see neuronal necrosis and infarcts
- recovery maybe possible
Hypoxia = lack of oxygen
- ↑ cerebral blood flow
- see synaptic alterations
- recovery possible
3
Q
Factors Affecting
Cerebral Blood Flow
A
-
Atherosclerosis
- Plaques develop on vessel walls ⟾ ↓ blood flow
-
Hypertension
- Acute HTN
- see HA, nausea, and AMS due to ↑ ICP
- intracerebral hemorrhage possible
- BBB with focal leaks
- Chronic HTN
- exacerbates atherosclerotic changes
- extends into smaller vessels
- Acute HTN
-
Inflammatory diseases
- cranial/cerebral inflammation
- systemic diseases
- Aneurysms
-
AVMs
- high chance of bleeding
- subarachnoid or intracerebral
- see seizures and headaches
- Cerebral amyloidosis
- Hematological disorders
4
Q
Aneurysms
A
-
Saccular
- occurs at bifurcations
- common at Circle of Willis
- 40-70% rupture before death
-
Fusiform
- commonly occurs in basilar artery
- see elongation and tortuosity
- see with advanced atherosclerosis
5
Q
Stroke
A
Abrubt onset of focal or global neurological symptoms caused by ischemia or hemorrhage.
6
Q
TIA
A
Typical duration of 10 minutes.
Neurological deficits lasting less than 24 hours.
7
Q
Vascular Infarcts
A
Strokes can be caused by infarcts in vessels.
-
Embolic vs thrombotic
- ex. lacunar infarct
- Watershed infarcts occurs between vessels
-
Focal ischemia can occur with vessel occulsion
- usually see contralateral loss of motor and sensation
- Infarcts of vertebrobasilar system affects brainstem
- crossed signs
- decreased sensation to one side of face and contralateral body
- cranial nerve problems
- gaze, pupil movement
- crossed signs
- Hemispheric involvement indicated by seizures, hemineglect, and aphasia
8
Q
Hemorrhage
A
- Can be due to head injury or be spontaneous
-
Spontaneous hemorrhages can be intracerebral or in subarachnoid space
- result of HTN, amyloidosis, AVMs, aneurysms, anticoagulation, tumors
- Some associated with venous system
9
Q
Stroke Treatment
A
- Tissue plasminogen activator
- Heparin
- Intra-arterial thrombolysis
- Correction of hyperglycemia
- Carotid stents
- Hemicraniectomy
10
Q
Traumatic Brain Injury
(TBI)
A
- High incidence and cost of treatment
- Worse with war
- Mortality decreased due to better acute care
- No therapy for long-term degenerative changes
- psychiatric problems
- depression
- substance abuse
- PTSD
11
Q
Behavioral Problems
with TBI
A
- Sensory deficits
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Cognitive deficits
- Emotional disorders
12
Q
Glasgow Outcome Scale
(GOS)
A
Index of functional outcome of survivors.
Scale of 1-5
- 1 = dead
- 2 = persistent vegetative state
- 3 = severe disability
- 4 = moderate disability
- 5 = good recovery with mild residual effects
13
Q
Types of Head Injuries
A
-
Focal
- contusions
- hematomas
- hemorrhage
- tissue tears
- Behavioral deficits caused by cortex and brain stem
-
Diffuse
- concussion
- Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
- Behavioral deficits caused by white matter, brainstem, thalamus
- Gliosis and inflammation
- Axonal injury, neuronal and oligodendrocyte death
14
Q
Glasgow Coma Scale
A
15-point scale
Assess eye opening, motor response, verbal response.
- Minimal ⟾ GCS 15, no LOC
- Mild ⟾ GCS 14 or GCS 15 with amnesia, brief LOC, or impaired alertness
- Moderate ⟾ GCS 9-13 or LOC >5 min or focal neuro deficit
- Severe ⟾ GCS 5-8
- Critical ⟾ GCS 3-4
15
Q
TBI
Management
A
- Surgical
- evacuation of hematomas
- Fluids
- maintain BP