Pathology of Cerebrovascular Disease Flashcards
Main blood vessels in the brain (constituents of Circle of Willis)
Internal carotid arteries Anterior communicating artery Anterior cerebral arteries Ophthalmic arteries Anterior choroidal arteries Posterior communicating arteries Superior cerebellar arteries Pontine arteries Basilar artery Anterior inferior cerebellar arteries Vertebral arteries Anterior spinal artery Posterior inferior cerebellar arteries
Major categories of stroke
Transient ischaemic attack
Minor stroke
Disabling stroke
What is a stroke?
Focal neurological deficit due to disruption of its blood supply
Transient ischaemic attack features
symptoms and signs last < 24 hours
Minor stroke features
Symptoms and signs last > 24 hours but with minor neurological deficit
Disabling stroke features
Symptoms and signs last > 24 hours with persisting disability that impairs independence
Causes of thrombotic/embolic events
Pro-thrombotic;
Athersclerosis
Smoking
Diabetes
Source of embolus;
Cardiac arrythmia
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
What is a parenchymal/intracerebral haemorrhage?
Haematoma that generally occurs as a result of head trauma
When might a parenchymal/intracerebral haemorrhage occur suddenly without apparent cause?
In people with weakened blood vessels as a result of long-term hypertension
Causes of parenchymal/intracerebral haemorrhage
Head trauma Long-term hypertension Tumours Anticoagulation Brain lesions
Cerebral blood flow accounts for what percentage of cardiac output? Why is this?
15%, due to high metabolic and input requirement
Ischaemia can lead to
infarction
Is damage to neurones permanent or reversible?
Permanent
Components of Virchow’s triad
Change in vessel wall
Change in blood flow
Change in blood constituents
(pro-thrombotic events)
What does Poiseuille’s law state?
That the flow of fluid is related to the viscosity of the fluid, pressure gradient across the blood vessel and length and diameter of the blood vessel
