Stroke Flashcards
Left MCA syndrome
Right hemiparesis (face/arm > leg)
Aphasia
Right sensory/visual inattention
Right hemianopia
Right MCA syndrome
Left hemiparesis (arm/face > leg)
Dysarthria
Left sensory/visual inattention
Left hemianopia
Lacunar syndrome
Absence of cortical signs
Isolated face/arm/leg weakness or numbness
Dysarthria
Ataxic hemiparesis
Posterior circulation syndrome
Diplopia
Dysarthria
Dysphagia
Vertigo
Ataxia
Hemi/tetraparesis
Ipsilateral face/contra lateral body numbness/weakness
Stroke mimics
Migraine with aura
Seizure with Todd’s paresis
Functional
Metabolic/Sepsis
CT non con findings
Hyperdense area white) = blood or calcium
Hyperdense artery = acute thrombus
Loss of grey/white diff = infarct
Hypodensity (black) = over 4.5hr onset
CT perfusion findings
Delay in time to peak = collateral territory (penumbra)
Low cerebral blood volume = likely irreversible ischaemia
CT angio findings
Ischaemic stroke
-vessel occlusion or stenosis
ICH
-vascular malformation
-spot sign = marker of growth
MRI brain
DWI
-most sensitive
TIA define
Same pathophysiology as ischaemic stroke but clot dissolves before causing permanent injury
Now defined as no lesion on MRI DWI
(Not resolution of symptoms within 24hrs)
TIA evaluation and management
CT brain
ECG
Carotid imaging
Antiplatletes
Antihypertensives
Statin
Ischaemic stroke aetiology investigations
Arterial pathology
CT angio (arch to vertex) or carotid doppler
-atherosclerosis
-dissection
-vasculitis
Cardioembolic pathology
-AF
-Akinetic LV segment
-Endocarditis
-PFO
ECG, holter or telemetry (24hrs) TTE/TOE
Rare (young)
-thrombophilia
-vasculitis
-fabrys
ICH aetiology investigations
CT angio
-routine
-vascular malformation
CT venography
-venous sinus thrombosis
Catheter angiography
-subtle AVM or dural AVF
Delayed MRI
-routine at 8 weeks
-underlying mass, AVM, cavernoma
-microangiopathy (hypertensive/amyloid)
Thrombolysis indications
Disabling stroke (NIHSS>5) due to large vessel occlusion
<4.5hrs
or
4.5-9hrs post onset or mid point of sleep for CT perfusion selected
Prior to endovascular thrombectomy if thrombolysis indicated
Alteplase administration
Dose
0.9mg/kg up to 90mg, infuse over 60 mins with 10% bolus over 1 min
Admit to ICU
CT brain if
-severe headache
-acute hypertension
-nausea or vomiting
-worsening neurological exam
Avoid NGs, IDC, art lines
CT or MRI brain
-24hrs post
-prior to stating antiplatelets/anticoagulants
BP and neurological assessments
-every 15 mins during infusion and for 2hr post
-then every 30 mins for 6hrs
-then hourly until 24 hrs