Module 12 Flashcards
What is a Stroke
clinical syndrome consisting of a constellation of neurologic findings, sudden or rapid in onset, which persist for more than 24 hours and whose vascular origins are limited to thrombotic or embolic occlusion of a cerebral artery resulting in infarction or a spontaneous rupture of a vessel resulting in intracerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage”
Syndrome
compilation of signs and symptoms going together
Each person has a different looking __
stroke
Key Aspects of a Stroke
- Pathologic process affecting blood vessels that results in occlusion or rupture of blood vessels
- Resultant damage to brain tissue in area served by occluded or ruptured vessel
- Neurologic sequelae as a result of interrupted blood flow
A stoke is also known as a …
Brain Attack (a vascular disorder that injures brain tissue)
___ is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US
Stroke
The longer the wait and delay in stroke treatment…
the more likely for irreversible damage
What are the 2 different types of strokes?
- Ischemic Stroke
- Hemorrhagic Stroke
___ Strokes are more common and make up 80% of strokes
Ischemic
Ischemic strokes are caused by ..
an interruption of blood flow in a cerebral vessels of thrombotic (50%) or embolic (30%) origin
Hemorrhagic strokes are caused by ..
bleeding into brain tissue d/t hypertension (10%), aneurysms (6%), AV Malformations, head injury, or blood dycrasias
___ strokes are less common BUT have a higher fatality rate
Hemorrhagic
Most ischemic strokes have embolisms come from somewhere between…
the left heart and brain (heart –> neck –> mid cerebral artery) since the path is of least resistance and is a straight line
The goal for an ischemic stroke is to …
return perfusion as fast as possible
What are examples of ischemic stroke treatments?
Anticoagulants
Removal of atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis
Coiling
treatment for ischemic strokes involving retrieving the clot and restoring perfusion
Blood Dyscrasias
abnormal amounts of other elements in the blood
Which stroke type is harder to treat?
Hemorrhagic
Strokes are the ____ leading global cause of death behind ___ ___
2nd; Heart Disease
Potential Stroke Sequelae?
- 22% of men and 25% of women die within
- stroke within 6 years of an MI
- half of men and women <65 die within 8 years
- 14% of TIA or stroke will have recurrence in first year
- 50-70% regain functional independence BUT 15-30% are permanently disabled
Modifiable Risk Factors for Strokes?
HTN
Cigarettes
High chol
Alcohol Use
Obesity
heart disease
diabetes mellitus
cocaine and other drugs
sedentary lifestyle
Non Modifiable Risk Factors for Strokes?
Age
Gender
Race
family history
Sickle cell disease
Polycythemia
What is the most important and common precursor to stroke?
Hypertension
Most common warning signs for stroke?
Sudden numbness, weakness, or facial/arm/leg paralysis - usually unilateral
Loss of speech, trouble walking, or trouble understanding speech
Sudden blurred or decreased vision, usually in one eye
Dizziness, loss of balance, or loss of coordination
sudden, severe headache with no apparent cause
difficulty swallowing
Usually people have what in regard to common stroke warning signs?
some but not all of them at once
Embolus
moving clot
thrombus
clot`
F A S T
Facial drooping Arm weakness Speech difficulty Time
Types and Frequency of Ischemic Strokes
16% - Atherosclerotic or Non Atherosclerotic Large Cerebral Artery Disease
27% - Penetrating artery disease
19% - Cardioembolic strokes
40% - strokes of undetermined origins
8% - misc (sickle cell or migraine)
Atherosclerotic Strokes cause what kind of strokes/damage?
Watershed Strokes (Border damage)
Penetrating Artery disease Strokes cause what kind of strokes/damage?
laminar strokes/lacunar necrosis
Cardioembolic strokes cause are due to waht?
embolus traveling from the carotid to (usually) the mid cerebral arteries
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Ischemic stroke characterized by focal ischemic cerebral neurologic deficits that last <24 hours (temporary and has little to no damage after)
person may not even realize it happened
Causes of TIA
Atherosclerosis Disease
Emboli
TIA may provide a warning for …
impending stroke
Early diagnosis of TIA may permit what …
early intervention and prevent extensive damage
TIA imaging shows…
NO necrosis of tissue in the brain (no area of central infarction)
S/S of TIA
Depend on cerebral vessel involved!!!:
Numbness and mild weakness on one side that persists briefly then resolves
Forearm, hand, and angle of mouth commonly affected
Transient visual disturbances (graying out, blurring, fogging of vision)
Rarely: Vertigo, dizziness, confusion, amnesia, seizures
Ways to Dx a TIA
CT Scan
Cerebrovascular Arterial Imaging (CAI)
cardiac Imaging
CT Scan
always used for strokes of suspected strokes
tells if the stroke is due to bleeding or a clot
CAI looks at
arteries (related to stroke)
Cardiac Imaging reveals…
reasoning for embolus formation
How is TIA treated?
Depending on the type and location via pharmacologic, medications, avoidance, and surgery
Pharmacologic treatments for TIA
Aspirin, Antiplatelet drugs, Anticoagulants
Can we use the same pharmacologic treatments (ex: anticoagulants) on a hemorrhagic stroke?
NO, it will thin the blood and make bleeding worse
Why is it important to avoid dehydration and hypotension when treating TIA?
the two can further compromise blood flow to the brain thus increasing ICP
(therefore be careful when lowering Bp with Meds for HTN)
Its important to use medications that lower BP for HTN judiciously when dealing with TIA because …
the hypotension could cause increased ICP and complicate blood flow to the brain
How does surgery treat TIA?
via removal of atherosclerotic plaques
Carotid Endarterectomy
surgery for removal of atherosclerotic plaque
Indicated by one or more TIA or mild stroke in the last 6 months and carotid stenosis >70%
Extracranial-Intracranial Bypass
surgery for redirecting blood flow from an artery in the scalp through the cranium to cerebral arteries (treatment for TIA)
Thrombotic Stroke
Ischemic Stroke type
It is the gradual blockage of a vessel usually occurring in atherosclerotic blood vessels - primarily at bifurcations
often accompanied by evidence of arteriosclerotic heart disease
The most common cause of ischemic stroke is …
Thrombotic Stroke
Thrombotic strokes are ___ ___ with activity and ___ occur at rest
not associated with activity and CAN occur at rest
Thrombotic strokes most often occur at …
bifurcations (areas of high stress and turbulent blood flow)
Thrombotic strokes tend to occur in ___ persons
older
How do thrombotic strokes relate to consciousness>?
consciousness may or may not be lost
Lacunar Infarcts
Type of ischemic stroke
small to very small (1.5-2 cm or 3-4 mm) infarcts in deeper noncortical parts of the brain or the brain stem
Found in area of deep penetrating arteries supplying the internal capsule, basal ganglia or brain stem
occlusion of smaller branches occur here
Most common arteries for lacunar infarcts?
middle or posterior cerebral arteries
Lacunar Infarcts are also known as …
Pinpoint death of tissue
Lacuna
small cavities after healing from lacunar infarcts revealing pinpoint areas of tissue death
function is lost here
What are the deficits like in lacunar infarcts?
Usually not profound, more specific/defined (ex: cannot multiply but can still add, subtract, divide, etc)
Causes of Lacunar Infarcts
Embolism
HTN
Small vessel occlusive disease
hematologic abnormalities
small intracerebral hemorrhages
vasospasms
Cardiogenic Embolic Stroke
Cardiogenic = coming from heart ; embolism stroke (ischemic in nature)
Sudden onset, immediate maximum deficit strokes usually coming from the left heart or the carotid
An embolism travels into a vessel and causes lack of blood supply to an area leading to brain tissue death
Cardiogenic Embolic Strokes usually affect …
smaller cerebral vessels, often at bifurcations