Stroke Flashcards

(88 cards)

1
Q

What is a stroke?

A

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.

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2
Q

What are the two main types of stroke?

A

Ischemic stroke (caused by a blockage) and hemorrhagic stroke (caused by bleeding).

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3
Q

What is an ischemic stroke?

A

It occurs when a blood clot blocks or narrows an artery leading to the brain, reducing blood flow.

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4
Q

What is a hemorrhagic stroke?

A

It occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding within or around the brain.

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5
Q

What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

A

A TIA, or “mini-stroke,” is a temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, usually resolving within minutes to hours without permanent damage.

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6
Q

What are the common risk factors for stroke?

A

Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, and a sedentary lifestyle.

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7
Q

What are the FAST signs of stroke?

A

F = Face drooping, A = Arm weakness, S = Speech difficulty, T = Time to call emergency services.

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8
Q

What causes ischemic strokes?

A

Atherosclerosis, blood clots, embolisms, and narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain.

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9
Q

What causes hemorrhagic strokes?

A

High blood pressure, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), and head trauma.

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10
Q

What is the role of atrial fibrillation in stroke?

A

Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart, which can travel to the brain and cause an ischemic stroke.

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11
Q

What imaging modality is most commonly used to diagnose a stroke?

A

Non-contrast CT scan, followed by MRI if necessary, to determine stroke type and extent.

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12
Q

How is an ischemic stroke treated in the acute phase?

A

Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if within 4.5 hours of symptom onset, or mechanical thrombectomy.

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13
Q

What is tPA, and when is it used?

A

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is a clot-busting drug used to treat ischemic strokes within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.

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14
Q

What is the role of aspirin in stroke management?

A

Aspirin is used in the secondary prevention of ischemic strokes by reducing the risk of clot formation.

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15
Q

How is a hemorrhagic stroke managed acutely?

A

Controlling blood pressure, reversing anticoagulation, and in some cases, surgical intervention to relieve pressure or repair the vessel.

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16
Q

What is a subarachnoid hemorrhage?

A

Bleeding in the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering it, often due to a ruptured aneurysm.

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16
Q

What are lacunar strokes?

A

Small ischemic strokes that occur in the deep structures of the brain, typically due to small vessel disease.

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17
Q

What is the penumbra in stroke pathology?

A

The area of brain tissue around the infarct that is at risk but still salvageable if blood flow is restored quickly.

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17
Q

What are the complications of stroke?

A

Paralysis, difficulty speaking, swallowing issues, cognitive deficits, and risk of recurrent strokes.

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18
Q

What is a cerebral aneurysm?

A

A weak spot in a brain artery that balloons and can potentially rupture, leading to a hemorrhagic stroke.

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19
Q

What is carotid artery stenosis, and how does it relate to stroke?

A

Narrowing of the carotid arteries can reduce blood flow to the brain and increase the risk of ischemic stroke.

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19
Q

What is the role of antiplatelet therapy in stroke prevention?

A

Medications like aspirin and clopidogrel are used to reduce the risk of future ischemic strokes by preventing clot formation.

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20
Q

What is the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS)?

A

A systematic assessment tool used to quantify the severity of a stroke and guide treatment decisions.

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21
Q

What is the main long-term goal of stroke rehabilitation?

A

To maximize recovery of function and improve quality of life through physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

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21
How is stroke-related dysphagia managed?
By conducting a swallowing assessment and modifying diet texture, with potential use of feeding tubes if necessary.
21
What is the most common long-term deficit after a stroke?
Hemiparesis, or weakness on one side of the body.
22
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.
23
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.
24
How does diabetes contribute to stroke risk?
Diabetes accelerates atherosclerosis, increasing the risk of ischemic stroke through blood vessel damage.
24
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.
24
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.
25
What are the signs of increased intracranial pressure in hemorrhagic stroke?
Headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased consciousness, and pupillary changes.
25
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.
25
What role do statins play in stroke prevention?
Statins reduce cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects, decreasing the risk of ischemic strokes.
26
What is reperfusion therapy in ischemic stroke?
Treatments aimed at restoring blood flow, including tPA administration and mechanical thrombectomy.
26
What are common symptoms of a brainstem stroke?
Double vision, dizziness, imbalance, difficulty swallowing, and sometimes "locked-in syndrome."
26
What is the time window for administering tPA in ischemic stroke?
Ideally within 4.5 hours of symptom onset.
26
What is cerebral edema, and how is it managed after stroke?
Swelling of the brain tissue, managed with medications like mannitol, hypertonic saline, or decompressive surgery.
27
What are the potential complications of tPA therapy?
Intracranial bleeding and systemic hemorrhage.
27
What are the types of motor deficits commonly seen after a stroke?
Hemiplegia (paralysis of one side of the body) or hemiparesis (weakness on one side).
28
What are the main cognitive deficits that can occur after a stroke?
Memory problems, attention deficits, and difficulty with problem-solving and executive functions.
29
What is the significance of time in stroke treatment?
"Time is brain" — the quicker treatment is administered, the better the outcome and the less brain tissue damage.
30
How is hypertension managed after a stroke?
Blood pressure is carefully lowered to reduce the risk of further strokes while avoiding rapid reductions that can harm brain perfusion.
31
What is "ischemia"?
Reduced blood flow to tissue, leading to a lack of oxygen and nutrients, which can result in cell damage or death.
32
What is "hemorrhage"?
Bleeding, typically caused by the rupture of a blood vessel, leading to blood accumulation in or around the brain.
33
What is "infarction"?
Death of tissue due to prolonged lack of blood supply, as seen in ischemic stroke.
34
What is "atherosclerosis"?
A disease process where plaque builds up in the arteries, leading to narrowing and an increased risk of stroke.
34
What is a "lacunar stroke"?
A small, deep ischemic stroke in the brain's subcortical structures, often caused by small vessel disease.
35
What is a "thrombus"?
A blood clot that forms within a blood vessel, potentially causing an ischemic stroke if it blocks blood flow to the brain.
36
What is an "embolus"?
A blood clot or other debris that forms elsewhere in the body and travels through the bloodstream to the brain, causing a stroke.
37
What is "penumbra"?
The area of brain tissue surrounding the core of an infarct that is at risk but still viable if treated quickly.
38
What is "necrosis" in the context of stroke?
Death of brain cells caused by prolonged lack of oxygen due to disrupted blood supply.
39
What is "transient ischemic attack (TIA)"?
A temporary blockage of blood flow to the brain, causing stroke-like symptoms that resolve within 24 hours.
40
What is a "cerebral aneurysm"?
A weakened or ballooned area in the wall of an artery in the brain, which can rupture and cause a hemorrhagic stroke.
41
What is "arteriovenous malformation (AVM)"?
A congenital tangle of blood vessels in the brain that can rupture and cause hemorrhagic stroke.
42
What is "intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)"?
Bleeding within the brain tissue itself, usually caused by high blood pressure or trauma.
43
What is "subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)"?
Bleeding into the space between the brain and the thin tissues covering it, often due to a ruptured aneurysm.
44
What is "cerebral edema"?
Swelling of brain tissue due to accumulation of fluid, commonly occurring after a stroke.
45
What is "mechanical thrombectomy"?
A procedure to physically remove a blood clot from an artery in the brain, used in some ischemic stroke cases.
45
What is "tPA (tissue plasminogen activator)"?
A clot-busting drug used to treat ischemic stroke by dissolving the clot and restoring blood flow.
46
What is "thrombolysis"?
The medical breakdown of blood clots, often with drugs like tPA, used to treat ischemic strokes.
47
What is "carotid endarterectomy"?
A surgical procedure to remove plaque from the carotid artery to prevent strokes caused by carotid artery stenosis.
48
What is "carotid artery stenosis"?
Narrowing of the carotid arteries, which supply blood to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.
49
What is "hyperlipidemia" in stroke risk?
Elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood, which contribute to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of stroke.
50
What is "hemiplegia"?
Paralysis of one side of the body due to stroke.
51
What is "intravenous thrombolysis"?
Administration of drugs like tPA through the vein to dissolve clots during an ischemic stroke.
52
What is "aphasia"?
A communication disorder caused by damage to the brain’s language centers, common after a stroke.
53
What is "hemiparesis"?
Weakness on one side of the body, often a consequence of stroke.
54
What is "dysarthria"?
A motor speech disorder caused by stroke, leading to difficulty with articulation and speech clarity.
55
What is "neglect syndrome"?
A condition in which a stroke patient ignores or is unaware of one side of their body, often the side affected by stroke.
56
What is "homonymous hemianopia"?
A visual field defect where a person loses half of the visual field in both eyes on the same side, often due to stroke.
57
What is "silent stroke"?
A stroke that does not cause noticeable symptoms but can still cause brain damage, detected on brain imaging.
57
What is "brain herniation"?
A serious condition where brain tissue shifts due to pressure after a stroke, potentially leading to death.
58
What is "neuroplasticity"?
The brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections, critical in stroke recovery.
58
What is "blood-brain barrier disruption" in stroke?
Damage to the protective barrier around the brain during stroke, allowing harmful substances to enter brain tissue.
59
What is "vasospasm" in the context of stroke?
Narrowing of blood vessels following a subarachnoid hemorrhage, reducing blood flow to brain tissue.
59
What is "paradoxical embolism"?
A blood clot from the venous system that crosses to the arterial system (e.g., through a patent foramen ovale) and can cause a stroke.
60
What is "TIA mimic"?
Conditions like migraine, seizures, or hypoglycemia that can mimic the symptoms of a transient ischemic attack.
61
What is "glutamate excitotoxicity"?
Excessive release of glutamate during stroke, leading to neuronal injury and cell death.
62
What is "post-stroke spasticity"?
Increased muscle tone and stiffness following a stroke, making movement difficult.
63
What is "cerebral autoregulation"?
The brain’s ability to maintain stable blood flow despite changes in systemic blood pressure, often disrupted in stroke.
64
What is "watershed stroke"?
A type of stroke that occurs in the border zones between major cerebral arteries, often due to low blood flow.
65
What is "phagocytosis" in stroke recovery?
The process by which immune cells remove dead brain cells and debris after a stroke.
66
What is "angiogenesis"?
Formation of new blood vessels in the brain during the recovery phase after a stroke.
67
What is "reperfusion injury"?
Damage caused when blood flow is restored to brain tissue after ischemia, due to inflammation and oxidative stress.
68
What is "autonomic dysfunction" after stroke?
Abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system, which can affect heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion.
68
What is "brainstem stroke"?
A stroke affecting the brainstem, which can impact vital functions such as breathing, heart rate, and consciousness.
69
What is "endovascular therapy"?
A minimally invasive treatment for stroke, often involving the removal of clots through a catheter inserted into blood vessels.