D: Vascular 4 Stroke/TIA/Cerebrovascular - Week 8 Flashcards

1
Q

Define stroke

A

sudden, focal interruption of cerebral blood flow that causes neurologic deficit

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2
Q

What percentage of strokes are ischaemic? And what do these types of strokes typically result from?

A

80%. Typically result from thrombosis or embolus

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3
Q

What percentage of strokes are haemorrhagic? What do these types of strokes result from?

A

20%. Resulting from vascular rupture (e.g. subarachnoid or intra-cerebral haem)

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4
Q

What proportion of stroke/CVA patients recover, die, or have a residual handicap?

A

1/3rd for each

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5
Q

Define Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)

A

stroke symptoms typically lasting less than 1 hour (must be less than 24 hours) and often leaves no or minimal damage

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6
Q

List 8 symptoms of stroke. Do they occur suddenly?

A

Numbness
Parasthesia (tingling)
Weakness
Contralateral limb/face paralysis
Aphasia (speech problems)
Confusion
Visual disturbances (one or both eyes) incl dizzy
Headache

Yeah, they do

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7
Q

What symptoms does an anterior circulation stroke typically produce?

A

unilateral symptoms

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8
Q

What symptoms does a posterior circulation stroke typically produce?

A

unilateral or bilateral deficits (and more likely to affect consciousness, compared to anterior)

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9
Q

What 3 features of a stroke are the resultant visual signs and symptoms dependent on?

A

Location/blood vessels affected
Type of stroke
Effect on cranial nerves

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10
Q

List 8 predisposing risk factors for stroke

A

Age
Atherosclerosis
Uncontrolled hypertension
Diabetes
Smoking
High HDL/LDL levels
Sedentary life style
Blood viscosity disorders

(also note: migraine and carotid artery stenosis)

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11
Q

What percentage of stroke patients are over 50 years old?

A

92%

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12
Q

What percentage of strokes are caused by internal carotid artery occlusion?

A

20%

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13
Q

What 4 prodromes may often occur preceding a stroke caused by internal carotid artery occlusion?

A

TIA
Amaurosis (partial/total blindness)
Speech
Tingling/sensations

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14
Q

What percentage of patients with internal carotid artery are asymptomatic at autopsy?

A

6.5%

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15
Q

What types of temporary neurological dysfunctions can occur with TIAs?

A

somatosensory
motor
vision (amaurosis fugax = painless temporary loss of vision in one or both eyes)

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16
Q

What 3 things are TIAs characterised by?

A

Abrupt onset
Short duration (generally 1-2 mins, 5 mins common, but up to 24 hours)
Complete recovery (with no residual deficit, generally)

17
Q

How does TIA influence the risk of stroke? How long does this apply?

A

Significantly increases it. In fact, major stroke events commonly occur within the first week after the first TIA.

Risk increases for the next 2 years

18
Q

Define carotid stenosis

A

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the neck that carry blood from the heart to the brain. Can lead to a TIA.

19
Q

In TIA, in which eye would you expect to experience loss of vision?

A

Ipsilateral to the existing carotid stenosis

20
Q

In TIA, on what side of your body would you expect motor/sensory defects?

A

The contralateral side to the existing carotid stenosis

21
Q

What should you ask in history for a patient suspected of having TIAs?

A

“Do you ever have visual blackouts lasting for a few minutes”

22
Q

What should you ask in history for a patient suspected of having vertebro-basilar TIA?

A

“Any falls or extreme faints?”

23
Q

List 5 unilateral signs suggestive of carotid insufficiency

A

Venous stasis retinopathy (VSR)
Ocular ischaemic syndrome
Unilateral pain
Cataract - asymmetric
Dilated conjunctival/scleral vessels

24
Q

List 3 atherosclerotic signs suggestive of carotid insufficiency

A

BRAO (old or recent)
Hollenhost plaque (cholesterol)
Fisher plug (fibrin)

25
Q

What is Carotid Artery Auscultation?

A

It’s where you listen at the neck with a stethoscope at the carotid artery to hear the sound it makes

26
Q

What does carotid artery auscultation test for?

A

narrowing at CC/ICA bifurcation

(ICA = internal carotid artery. CC = common carotid)

27
Q

During carotid artery auscultation: What is a normal sound?

A

Heart sound (lub-dub)

28
Q

During carotid artery auscultation: What is an abnormal sound? What does this sound indicate?

A

BRUIT: is a blowing/whooshing sound that indicates significant narrowing of the vessel lumen

29
Q

What does it mean when you hear a louder BRUIT below the CC/ICA bifurcation during carotid artery auscultation?

A

Suggests a heart anomaly

30
Q

What if you hear no sound during carotid artery auscultation? (2)

A

Either:
Not correctly positioned on artery (not on artery at all)
Artery completely blocked

31
Q

What does a carotid ultrasound indicate when testing a patient for carotid insufficiency?

A

indicates degree of stenosis

32
Q

What does ophthalmodymanometry measure?

A

ophthalmic artery pressure

33
Q

What is a positive result in Ophthalmodymanometry?

A

20% difference between eyes

34
Q

What 2 treatment options are there for carotid insufficiency?

A

Anticoagulant therapy (e.g. aspirin)
Surgery - carotid endarterectomy

35
Q

Name 1 benefit and 1 downside of carotid endarterectomy

A

Advantage: reduces risk of stroke
Disadvantage: but there is a risk of inducing a stroke during the actual operation

36
Q

For what type of patient demographic is carotid endarterectomy mainly indicated for?

A

younger patients in good health