NEUROLOGICAL PATHOLOGIES - Stroke Flashcards
What is the 2 main arteries that supply blood to the brain ?
Internal Carotoid Arteries & Vertebral Arteries
What is a good thing about the circle of WILLIS ?
ANATOMICALLY EFFECTIVE
- it can protect the brain via collateral circulation
Collateral system
- A damage or blockage in one supply artery then the other arteries can compensate
for this.
What are the Terminal Arteries ?
ANTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY (ACA)
MIDDLE CEREBRAL ARTERY (MCA)
POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERIES (PCA)
This means the area of brain they supply blood to are not protected by the collateral system.
What is the Basilar Artery ?
It supplies blood to all of the brain stem (pons/medulla/mid-brain) and the cerebellum.
What is the cause of STROKE ?
its caused by the disruption of blood supply to the brain resulting in sudden and lasting neurological deficits.
What is a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) ?
Its a mini stroke caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to parts of the brain.
What are the two types of Stroke ?
and how do they differ from each other.
1.) ISHAEMIC (85%)
This is due to clot / blockage of the blood supply
(common vessels = MCA >PCA>ACA)
2.) HAEMORRHAGIC STROKE (15%)
Rupture of the blood vessels in the brain causing bleeding on the brain.
(INTRACRANIAL CEREBRAL HAEMORRHAGE)
What are the different ways to manage stroke ?
- ) URGENT BRAIN IMAGING
- should be done within an hour. - ) THROMBOLYSIS
- its a cloy busting drug given to patients with IS and with the aim of restoring blood flow to the area thereby preventing cell death. - ) THROMBECTOMY
- clot removal with catheter inserted through the femoral vein and guided via imaging to the site of the clot to the brain. - ) CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY
- removing the plaque build up in the carotid artery.
5.) DIRECT ADMISSION TO A HYPERACUTE STROKE UNIT
What are some risk factors for stroke ?
- AGE
- ETHNICITY
- HYPERTENSION
- HIGH BLOOD CHOLESTEROL
- SMOKING
- GENDER
- PREVIOUS STROKE
- HIGH SALT DIET
- CONTRACEPTIVE PILL
How to prevent / reduce the chance of stroke ?
- ) BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION
- BP management reduces the risk of further strokes. - ) SMOKING CESSATION ADVICE
- smoking increases the risk of stroke. - ) HEALTH EATING ADVICE
- its to reduce cholesterol and salt intake in order to maintain a healthy arteries.
4.) KEEPING ACTIVE AND MAINTAINING FITNESS
What are TACS / PACS/ LS / POCS
Read Notes
What are the Signs and symptoms of a stroke
BE FAST
Balance ( Headache ) } ATAXIA = reduced coordination
Eyes ( Blurred vision ) } HOMONYMOUS HEMIANOPIA = visual deficits
Face ( one side drooping )
Arms + Legs ( weakness ) } HEMIPLEGIA = ones side weakness
Speech } DYSARTHRIA = slurred speech // Expressive and Receptive Dysphasia
Time (call an ambulance)
Reduced attention and memory.
What can affect stroke recovery ?
- Size and location of stroke.
- Nutrition and Hydration
- Patient Motivation
- Environment
- Therapy
- Age
What are some Stroke motor Symptoms.
- Lack of muscle Innervation
- Changes in muscle Tone
- Ataxia
- Muscle weakness
- Balance Problems
What is muscle tone ?
Its a state of readiness in a muscle at rest.
The resistance to passive movement
