Stroke Flashcards
What are the different types of strokes?
- Haemorrhagic stroke (Intracerebral haemorrhage)
- Ischaemic stroke
- Transient ischaemic stroke (TIA)
What are the common symptoms of a stroke?
Acronym ‘Think FAST’
- Face drops
- Arm weakness
- Slurred speech
- Time to dial 999
What is the initial management for TIA (also known as mini stroke)?
- Aspirin 300mg (only when haemorrhagic stroke has been excluded)
- Clopidogrel can be given if intolerant to aspirin
- After a confirmed diagnosis, patients should receive treatment for secondary prevention immediately
What is the initial management for Ischaemic stroke?
- Alteplase if patient present within 4.5 hours of stroke onset
IF intracranial haemorrhage has been excluded
Then within 24 or asap, start them on:
* Aspirin 300mg or clopidogrel 75mg OD for 14 days
What is the long term management of TIA and Ischaemic stroke?
If stroke is NOT associated with AF, treat with antiplatelets:
* Clopidogrel 75mg daily is recommended.
If contraindicated:
* Dipyridamole MR 200mg + aspirin (if clopidogrel is contraindicated)
If clopidogrel and aspirin are contraindicated:
* Dipyridamole MR 200mg alone
If clopidogrel and dipyridamole are contraindicated:
* Aspirin alone
If stroke IS associated with AF, treat with anticoagulants:
* Warfarin, or other anticoagulant
(same thing if patient has embolism or venous thrombosis)
Initiate high intensity statin (e.g. atorv 20-80mg) 48 hours after stroke
Advice on lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, weight, alcohol and smoking)
What needs to be monitored with long term management of ischaemic stroke and T.I.A?
Monitor BP.
Target is less than 130/80mmHg.
If higher, treat with antihypertensive drugs.
But avoid beta blockers (unless indicated for co-existing condition)
What is the initial management of Intracerebral haemorrhage?
- Surgery
- AVOID ALL MEDICATIONS
Long term management is treat hypertension but avoid all other drugs.
What are Coumarins and Phenindiones?
Medication used to treat and prevent thrombosis, thromboembolism in veins etc.
Examples are: warfarin, acenocoumarol, phenindione
What is the mechanism of action for COUMARINS AND PHENINDIONES?
Antagonises vitamin K.
It is used to prevent thrombus formation in the veins.
They take 48-72 hours to give a full anticoagulant effect.
So if you want an immediate effect, you must use unfractionated heparin (heparin) or LMWH
What are the different strengths of Warfarin?
0.5mg, 1mg, 3mg, 5mg
What are the different colours of warfarin?
0.5mg - white
1mg - Brown
3mg - Blue
5mg - Pink
What are the two MHRA advice given with warfarin?
- Calciphylaxis
This is a painful rash.
Common in patients with renal disease.
REFER TO GP! - Miconazole (daktarin) oral gel interaction
- causes bleeding
- patients must be told to stop and seek medical advice if unexplained bruising, nose bleeds and blood in urine
What is the antidote for warfarin?
Phytomenadione (vitamin K).
So certain foods that contain vitamin K should not be increased or decreased in the patient’s diet whilst taking warfarin.
What are some examples of foods containing phytomenadione (vitamin K)?
- Cranberry juice
- Pomegranate juice
- Liver
- Sprouts
- Broccoli
- Green tea
- Salads and leafy green vegetables
AND avoid alcohol as it decreases effects of warfarin
Can warfarin and coumarins be taken during pregnanacy?
No!
Because they are highly teratogenic.
What anti coagulation medications can be taken during pregnancy?
LWMH
How does target INR work?
INR stand for international normalised ratio (INR).
It is a blood test that tells you how long it takes for your blood to clot.
It is used to test clotting times in people taking warfarin.
Your doctor will use your INR result to work out what dose of warfarin you should take.
Less warfarin, the lower the INR
What is warfarin used for?
Used to treat and prevent blood clots
What is the target INR for most patients? And what is an acceptable INR?
The target INR for most patients is 2.5.
INR should be within 0.5 of this target value.
Which conditions require an INR of 3.5?
- Recurrent DVT or PE
- Mechanical prosthetic heart valves
What are the indications of Warfarin?
- Prevention of embolisation in rheumatic heart disease and AF
- Prevention after insertion of prosthetic heart valve
- Prevention and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- T.I.A
What’s the initial and maintenance dose of Warfarin?
Initially 5-10mg take on day 1
Then subsequent dose dependent on INR.
A lower induction dose can be given to elderly patients and patience who don’t require quick anticoagulation.
Maintenance dose is 3-9mg daily, to be taken at the same time each day.
For patients taking warfarin, what should be done if they are bleeding and INR is more than 8?
Stop warfarin and give IV vitamin k (phytomenadione) slowly. A slow IV injection.
Repeat if INR is still high after 24hrs.
Then restart warfarin when INR is <5.
For patients taking warfarin, what should be done if their INR is more than 8 but there’s no bleeding?
Stop warfarin and give oral vitamin K . Repeat if INR is still high after 24 hours.
Restart warfarin if INR is less than 5.
For patients taking warfarin, what should be done if they are bleeding and their INR is between 5-8?
Stop warfarin.
And give Phytomenadione (vitamin k).
Restart when INR is less than 5.
For patients taking warfarin, what should be done if they are not bleeding and their INR is between 5-8?
Withhold 1-2 doses of warfarin and reduce subsequent maintenance dose.
Measure INR again after 2-3 days.
What drug increases the effect of warfarin?
- Miconazole - usually avoid use. Unless INR can be closely monitored - monitor for signs of bleeding and bruising.
Fluconazole & Clarithromycin - monitor INR and adjust dose.
- Itraconazole
- Amiodarone
- Bezafibrate
- Cranberry and pomegranate juice - AVOID
What drug decreases the effect of warfarin?
- St John’s Wort
- Alcohol & leafy greens - changes in diet can effect anticoagulation control
- Carbamazepine
What drug, taken alongside warfarin increases the risk of bleeding?
Antiplatelets like aspirin
What antiplatelet is preferred, is an antiplatelet is necessary in a patient taking wafarin?
Aspirin