Stroke Flashcards
what is stroke?
death of brain tissue from hypoxia (low oxygen)
what is transient ischaemic attack (TIA)?
like a ‘mini stroke’ caused by TEMPORARY ischaemia [(reduced blood flow)-> resulting in reduced oxygen to tissue too]
what are the risks for stroke?
hypertension
smoking
alcohol
ischaemic heart diseased (decreased blood from heart)
atrial fibrillation
Diabetes
what are the direct causes of stroke?
- intracranial bleed (aneurysm rupture)
- embolism (blocked artery from clot/air bubble)
how do you prevent strokes?
reduce risk factors:
- smoking, diabetes control, control hypertension
Antiplatelets: (prevent platelets from clumping together)
- aspirin
- dipyridamole
- clopidogrel
Anticoagulants: (reduce synthesis of clotting factors to thin blood)
- warfarin, apixaban
what are ways of investigating strokes?
- imaging [CT, MRI, Angiography]
what are the effects of stroke?
loss of functional brain tissue (immediate nerve cell death)
gradual/rapid loss of function
inflammation in tissue around the bleed/infarction
what are complications of strokes?
- motor function loss
- sensory loss
- cognitive impairment
whats the 2 main managements of stroke?
Acute:
- limit damage (remove any haematomas)
- reduce future risk (aspirin, maybe anticoagulants?)
Chronic:
- rehabilitation
- reduce future risk (aspirin, maybe anticoagulants?)