Management of a stroke Flashcards
What are the two main causes of stroke?
- Ischaemic
- Haemorrhagic
What is an Ischaemic stroke?
When the blood supply is stopped due to a blood clot
What is a haemorrhagic stroke?
When a weakened blood vessel supplying the brain bursts
What is a TIA?
Transient ischemic attack, where supply to the brain is temporarily interrupted
What conditions can increase the risk of a stroke?
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Atrial fibrillation
- Diabetes
What is a stroke?
This is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
Face - may have dropped on 1 side
Arms - the person may not be able to lift both arms due to weakness
Speech - may be slurred or garbled or they may not be able to speak
Time - time to dial 999 if these occur
How do you manage a person with a suspected acute stroke?
- Immediate emergency admission to a stroke facility.
- Hospital needs advanced notification of arrival
How do you manage a person with a suspected TIA?
- Offer aspirin 300mg unless contraindicated
- refer for specialist assessment to be seen within 24 hrs
- CT if bleeding
How can Ischemic strokes be treated?
By using injections of medicine called alteplase, which dissolves blood clots and restores blood flow to the brain
What is Thrombolysis?
Clot buster medication
What is a thrombectomy?
A procedure that removes blood clots and helps restore blood flow to the brain. It is only effective at treating ischemic strokes.
What is carotid endarterectomy?
a procedure done to unblock the artery from the buildup of fatty plaques
Why will surgery need to take place after a stroke has occurred?
Done to remove any blood from the brain and repair any burst blood vessels. Done with a procedure known as craniotomy
What vision problems can occur after stroke?
Visual field loss, eye movement problems, visual processing problems.
What is a homonymous visual field loss?
It always affects the same side in both eyes
What is an hemianopia?
Losing the left or right half of the visual field of both eyes
What is a scotoma?
Small patch of vision loss, near the centre of vision. Usually one side of the visual field of both eyes
How do wearing prisms help a visual field loss?
The prism will create an image of part of the side of visual field loss and reflects it over to the good side
