Stroke Flashcards
What is a stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients, leading to cell death.
What are the two main types of stroke?
Ischemic stroke (caused by a blockage) and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding).
What is an ischemic stroke?
It occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, reducing blood flow.
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding within or around the brain.
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
A TIA, or “mini-stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, usually resolving within minutes to hours without permanent damage.
What are the common risk factors for stroke?
Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and a sedentary lifestyle.
What are the FAST signs of stroke?
F = Face drooping, A = Arm weakness, S = Speech difficulty, T = Time to call emergency services.
What causes ischemic strokes?
Atherosclerosis, blood clots, embolisms, and narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain.
What causes hemorrhagic strokes?
High blood pressure, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and head trauma.
What is the role of atrial fibrillation in stroke?
Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart, which can travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.
What imaging modality is most commonly used to diagnose a stroke?
Non-contrast CT scan, followed by MRI if necessary, to determine stroke type and extent.
How is an ischemic stroke treated in the acute phase?
Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, or mechanical thrombectomy.
What is tPA, and when is it used?
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a clot-busting drug used to treat ischemic strokes within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
What is the role of aspirin in stroke management?
Aspirin is used in the secondary prevention of ischemic strokes by reducing the risk of clot formation.
How is a hemorrhagic stroke managed acutely?
Controlling blood pressure, reversing anticoagulation, and in some cases, surgical intervention to relieve pressure or repair the vessel.
What is a subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Bleeding in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering it, often due to a ruptured aneurysm.
What are lacunar strokes?
Small ischemic strokes that occur in the deep structures of the brain, typically due to small vessel disease.
What is the penumbra in stroke pathology?
The area of brain tissue around the infarct that is at risk but still salvageable if blood flow is restored quickly.
What are the complications of stroke?
Paralysis, difficulty speaking, swallowing issues, cognitive deficits, and risk of recurrent strokes.
What is a cerebral aneurysm?
A weak spot in a brain artery that balloons and can potentially rupture, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke.
What is carotid artery stenosis, and how does it relate to stroke?
Narrowing of the carotid arteries can reduce blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of ischemic stroke.
What is the role of antiplatelet therapy in stroke prevention?
Medications like aspirin and clopidogrel are used to reduce the risk of future ischemic strokes by preventing clot formation.
What is the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?
A systematic assessment tool used to quantify the severity of a stroke and guide treatment decisions.
What is the main long-term goal of stroke rehabilitation?
To maximize recovery of function and improve quality of life through physical, occupational, and speech therapy.
How is stroke-related dysphagia managed?
By conducting a swallowing assessment and modifying diet texture, with potential use of feeding tubes if necessary.
What is the most common long-term deficit after a stroke?
Hemiparesis, or weakness on one side of the body.
What is the relationship between hypertension and stroke risk?
Chronic high blood pressure is the leading modifiable risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes.
What is an embolic stroke?
A type of ischemic stroke where a clot forms elsewhere in the body (e.g., heart) and travels to the brain.
How does diabetes contribute to stroke risk?
Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke through blood vessel damage.
How does atrial fibrillation increase stroke risk?
It causes irregular heartbeats, leading to blood pooling in the heart and clot formation, which can travel to the brain.
What is the importance of early mobilization after a stroke?
It helps reduce the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, and improves recovery outcomes.
What are the signs of increased intracranial pressure in hemorrhagic stroke?
Headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased consciousness, and pupillary changes.
What is endarterectomy, and when is it used?
A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery, used to prevent strokes in patients with significant stenosis.
What role do statins play in stroke prevention?
Statins reduce cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing the risk of ischemic strokes.
What is reperfusion therapy in ischemic stroke?
Treatments aimed at restoring blood flow, including tPA administration and mechanical thrombectomy.
