Stroke Flashcards
Risk factor for haemorrhagic transformation
Large infarcts + high NIHSS score
Established infarcts
Poor collaterals
Thrombocytopenia
Absolute CI to haemolysis
Extensive hypoattenuation on CT Suspicious of SAH (thunderclap headache followed by weakness) Current/previous ICH Intracranial neoplasm Severe head trauma last 3/12 Intracranial or intraspinal surgery Plat <100 INR >1.7 APTT >40 Clexane last 24 hours Suspicious for current endocardtisi Active GI or internal bleed Aortic arch dissection
What kind of clots does thrombolysis do well in?
Smaller clots
Broad indications for clot retrieval
ICA, basilar, M1, M2 (needs to be appropriate) occlusion
CTP: large penumbra, small core
CTB: no extensive infarct
Good premorbid function
Do you give tPA for clot retrieval?
Yes unless you’re not eligible
BP target post thrombolysis
<185/110
Use IV labetalol or hydralazine
BP target if no TPA
<220/120
Need the cerebral perfusion to perfuse through collaterals
Wait 48-72 hours then can start lowering BP = aim 120-130/80-90
Hemicraniectomy for swelling and herniation post stroke has what outcomes?
Reduce deaths
But not necessarily reduce disability
Target lipids for stroke
LDL <1.8
Ticagrelor or clopidogrel in stroke?
Clopidogrel has lower bleeding rates
Similar efficacy
What’s symptomatic carotid stenosis?
When you have a stroke on the same side
We don’t treat asymptomatic carotid stenosis
Rx symptomatic carotid stenosis
CEA
70-99% stenosis of ipsilateral carotid artery
50-69% select patients (especially men)
Best benefits within 2 weeks, <3 months at least (any longer the plaque has stabilised so no point)
Intensive vascular secondary prevention therapy
Stent or CEA?
Stent for
- Unfavourable anatomy ie tortuous
- Symptomatic re-stenosis after CEA
- Previous stenting
- Aged <70 years
Dissection often occurs where?
Carotid and vertebral arteries
How does dissection occur?
Trauma (can be minimal) with hyperextension of neck
Genetic predisposition
Fibromuscular dysplasia
CT disorders
Presentation of dissection
Neck pain
Headache - migraines, raeder’s syndrome (trigeminal neuralgia), thunderclap headache
Stroke - dependent on migratory
Partial Horner’s syndrome (do an angiogram to look for dissection)
- Sympathetic ganglion lie at carotid birfurcation
- Sympathetic pathway runs with internal carotid
- No anhidrosis as fibres for sweat travel with the external carotid
CN 6 or lower cranial nerve palsy
SAH if rupture
Rx dissection
Aspirin
Generally good prognosis
What happens in dissection?
Tear in the vessel wall, intima –> leads to thrombus formation in the wall artery which can expand towards intima or adventita –> creates stenosis, tapering or pseudoaneurysm –> thrombus can embolise or occlude the artery
When to close a PFO in stroke?
If <60 years with no other cause found apart from PFO who have associated atrial septal aneurysm or moderate to large R to L shunt
Preferred NOAC for AF in stroke?
Apixaban and dabigatran preferred
Rivaroxaban linked to breakthrough stroke (often wake up in the morning just before 8am daily dose)
How long do TIAs usually last?
Usually less than 1 hour (usually <10 minutes)
How to treat ischaemic stroke with no AF?
Load 300mg for both DAPT
3 weeks DAPT–> monotherapy
BP target for ICH
SBP <140
Rx ICH
BP management
Reverse INR if on warfarin
Reverse dabigatran
Safe to recommence antiplatelets 4-6/52 after ICH
Don’t operate unless there is cerebellar haemorrhage (tight space/decompress)
EVD in intraventricular haemorrhage to prevent hydrocephalus
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy syndrome
Presentation
Lobar haemorrhage (peripheral)
Cortical microhaemorrhages
Cortical superficial siderosis/convexity SAH
White matter disease and cortical infarcts
Dementia
CAA-related inflammation
Rx Cerebral amyloid angiopathy syndrome
BP Control
Avoid anticoagulation, antiplatelet, Tpa
Risk factor for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Woman Pregnancy Obesity Thrombophilia including OCP Local infections Chronic inflammatory diseases Malignancy
When to start anticoagulation post acute stroke?
0, 3, 6, 12 rule Day 0 for TIA Day 3 for minor stroke Day 6 for moderate stroke Day 12 for significant stroke
Should you anticoagulate stroke of unknown source? Ie you think its coming from the heart but you can’t prove it
No
Treat with antiplatelet therapy
Surgical occlusion of the left atrial appendage in those post stroke with AF undergoing cardiac surgery for another indication has shown …
Benefit in preventing further stroke
+ Usual anticoagulation
Need AF and CHADSVASC2 2+
How does amaurosis fugax present?
Curtain coming down one eye
Transient monocular vision loss lasting seconds-minutes
May be recurrent
Pathophysiology of amaurosis fugax
Retinal ischaemia (retinal artery occlusion) Associated with ipsilateral severe carotid artery stenosis (ICA --> opthalmic artery)
What might you see on fundoscopy in amaurosis fugax?
Retinal emboli or hypoperpfusion