MP323 - STROKE/TIA Flashcards
stroke
clinical syndrome characterised by sudden onset of rapidly developing focal or global neurological disturbance which lasts more than 24 hours or leads to death
transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
transient (less than 24 hours) neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischaemia, without evidence of acute infarction
2 types of stroke
ischaemic
haemorrhagic (less common)
thrombotic stroke
ischaemic stroke
blood clot (thrombus) blocks flow of blood in brain
embolic stroke
ischaemic stroke
fatty plaque or blood clot (embolism) breaks away and flows to brain where it blocks an artery
cerebral haemorrhage
haemorrhagic stroke
break in blood vessel (aneurysm) in brain
small vessel (lacunar) ischaemic stroke
small vessel deep in the brain affected
large vessel (thrombotic) ischaemic stroke
hyperlipidaemia with unstable plaque
cardiogenic (embolic) ischaemic stroke
clot moves from the heart and lodges in a vessel in the brain
initial potential complications of stroke
haemorrhagic transformation
cerebral oedema
seizures
venous thromboembolism
cardiac complications
infection
long-term complications -> mobility problems
- hemiparesis or hemiplagia
- ataxia
- falls
- spasticity and contractures
long-term complications -> sensory problems
loss or alteration in sensations such as touch, temperature and pain
long-term complications -> continence problems
- urinary and faecal problems are common and can persist long-term
- urinary incontinence can increase the risk of skin breakdown and can be exacerbated by constipation
long-term complications -> pain
due to neuronal damage
long-term complications -> dysphagia
- difficulty in swallowing foods, fluids and saliva
- associated with aspiration pneumonia, disability and death
