problems with blood in the brain Flashcards

Stroke, TIA, subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural haemorrhage, and extradural haemorrhage.

1
Q

which arteries in the brain are likely to rupture in patients with HTN?

A

lenticular striate arteries (they have a very thin adventitia)

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2
Q

risk factors for stroke

A

heart disease
hypertension
diabetes mellitus

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3
Q

what percentage of strokes are embolic?

A

85%

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4
Q

what percentage of strokes are haemorrhagic?

A

10%

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5
Q

signs of intracerebral haemorrhage

A

sudden onset of stroke with raised intracranial pressure

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6
Q

signs of MCA stroke

A
receptive and expressive language areas
arm and leg weak 
sensory loss
hemianopia
facial droop 
swallowing problems
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7
Q

signs of ACA stroke

A

leg symptoms

decrease in spontaneous speech

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8
Q

signs of PCA stroke

A

visual problems

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9
Q

complications of PCA stroke

A

prosopagnosia

other visual problems

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10
Q

complications of posterior circulation stroke

A

locked in syndrome

high death rate

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11
Q

during a stroke, the clock is ticking slower for which areas of the brain?

A

cortical areas

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12
Q

questions to ask when a patient has a stroke

A

is there bleeding?
yes - has a blood vessel ruptured?
no - is a blood vessel blocked?

is the blood supply reduced?

is the brain tissue injured?

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13
Q

immediate management of stroke

A

diagnose stroke clinically

CT scan to rule out bleed

thrombolysis (check for contraindications first)

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14
Q

treatment of stroke

A
thrombolysis (alteplase - up to 4.5hrs)
anti platelet drugs
thrombectomy
carotid endarterectomy
statins
anticoagulants
antihypertensives
surgery
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15
Q

risk management of stroke

A

platelet treatments
cholesterol treatments
AF treatments
antihypertensives

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16
Q

signs of posterior circulation stroke

A

motor deficit

speech and visual disturbance

17
Q

pathology of transient ischaemic attack

A

sudden onset of global neurological deficit lasting less than 24 hours with complete clinical recovery (usually 5-15 minutes)

18
Q

signs of TIA with carotid/anterior blockage

A

hemiparesis
amaurosis fugax (descending loss of vision in one eye)
Broca’s dysphagia

19
Q

signs of TIA with vertebrobasilar/posterior blockage

A
hemisensory symptoms
diplopia
vertigo 
vomiting
dysarthria (leading to slurred speech)
ataxia
hemianopia
bilateral visual loss
20
Q

treatment of TIA

A

clopidogrel

statins

21
Q

risk factors for subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

polycystic kidney disease

coarctation of the aorta

22
Q

pathology of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

rupture of the arteries forming the circle of Willis - often because of berry aneurysms

23
Q

signs of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

thunderclap headache
photophobia
reduced consciousness

24
Q

diagnosis of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

CT head - white star shape from blood in the basal cisterns

25
Q

treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage

A

nimopidine - decreases arterial vasospasm

surgery - coiling (endovascular obliteration)

26
Q

risk factors for subdural haemorrhage

A

alcoholic
dementia
being a baby

27
Q

pathology of subdural haemorrhage

A

bleeding from bridging veins - low pressure so soon stops
days/weeks later the haematoma starts to autolyse –> high increase in oncotic pressure as water is sucked into haematoma –> gradual rise in ICP

28
Q

signs of subdural haemorrhage

A

meningism
signs of raised ICP
focal neuropathy - 3rd nerve palsy

29
Q

complications of subdural haemorrhage

A

cardiac areas on brainstem may be pressed

30
Q

diagnosis of subdural haemorrhage

A

CT head

31
Q

treatment of subdural haemorrhage

A

osmotic diuresis with mannitol
Burr hole craniotomy
repair surgically

32
Q

risk factors for extradural haemorrhage

A

trauma

fracture

33
Q

pathology of extradural haemorrhage

A

bleeding from middle meningeal artery
lucid period
rapid rise in intracranial pressure
coning and death if not treated

34
Q

signs of extradural haemorrhage

A

briefly unconscious, then lucid interval, then rapid deterioration
fixed dilated pupil (due to 3rd nerve palsy if herniation across midline)

35
Q

complications of extradural haemorrhage

A

coning and death

36
Q

diagnosis of extradural haemorrhage

A

CT head

37
Q

treatment of extradural haemorrhage

A

osmotic diuresis with mannitol

clot evacuation ± ligation of bleeding vessel