Geratology Flashcards
Describe the presentation of a stroke
- Sudden onset
- limb weakness
-Facial weakness
-Dysphasia
-Visual field defect
-Sensory loss
-Ataxia and vertigo
In stroke what does ataxia and vertigo indicate?
The posterior circulation is affected
List the risk factors for stroke
-Previous TIA
-AF
-carotid artery stenosis
-Hypertension
-Diabetes
-High cholesterol
-Family history
-Smoking
-Obesity
-Vasculitis
-Thrombophilia
-Combined oral contraceptive
In which people does the combined oral contraception increase the risk of stroke?
The risk is higher if the person has migraines, is over 34, smokes or has a history of a stroke/TIA
What is important to do before treating someone for a stroke?
Exclude hypoglycaemia
When using the ROSIER tool to assess for stroke what score indicates a stroke being likely?
Above 1
Which symptoms on the ROSIER tool give a -1 score?
-Loss of consciousness
-Seizure activity
Which symptoms of the ROSIER tool give a +1 score?
-Asymmetrical facial weakness
-Asymmetrical arm weakness
-Asymmetrical leg weakness
-Speech disturbance
-Visual field defect
Describe the findings of a non contrast CT head with an ischaemic stroke.
-Low density grey and white matter in 1 area which may take time to show up
-Hyperdense artery, visible immediately with a visible clot
Describe the findings of a non contrast CT head with a haemorrhagic stroke.
Areas of hyper density (blood), surrounded by low density (oedema)
Describe the management of an ischaemic stroke
-Exclude hypoglycaemia
-Immediate non contrast CT brain
-300mg aspirin
-Admission to specialist stroke centre
-Thrombolysis with alteplase (within 4.5 hours of onset)
-Thrombectomy (within 24 hours)
- Investigate for carotid artery stenosis and AF
What is the mechanism by which alteplase works?
It’s a tissue plasminogen activator
What are the absolute contraindications of alteplase?
-Previous intracranial haemorrhage
-Seizure at onset of stroke
- intracranial neoplasm
-Suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage
-Stroke caused by traumatic brain injury preceding 7 days
-Gi bleed preceding 3 weeks
-active bleeding
-pregnancy
-oesophageal varices
-Uncontrolled hypertension (2oo/120hg)
What are the relative contraindications of alteplase?
-concurrent anticoagulation, INR above 1.7
-Haemorrhagic diatheses (tendency to bleed)
-diabetic haemorrhagic retinopathy
-suspected intracardiac thrombus
-major surgery preceding 2 weeks
Why shouldn’t lowering BP be done generally in ischaemic stroke?
It will worsen the ischaemia
In ischaemic stroke when can hypertension be treated?
- In hypertensive emergency
Which areas of circulation can a thrombectomy be used?
Proximal anterior circulation or proximal posterior circulation (basilar or posterior cerebral artery)
What can be used to identify the area where a clot is in circulation?
Computed tomographic angiography or magnetic resonance angiography
How are haemorrhagic stroked treated?
- exclude hypoglycaemia
- lower blood pressure
- reverse effects of anticoagulant medicines
-emergency craniotomy
In patients with AF when is anticoagulation resumed after a stroke?
14 days after
How is carotid stenosis investigated and treated?
-carotid ultrasound
-carotid artery endarterectomy/ angioplasty/ stenting
Describe secondary stroke prevention
- Clopidogrel 75mg/day
-Atorvastatin 20-80mg delayed 24 hours
-Bp and diabetes control
-altering modifiable RF
Define a TIA
Temporary neurological dysfunction lasting less than 24 hours (usually less than 1hour)
In a TIA which areas are ischaemic?
could be:
-focal brain
-spinal
-retinal