Stroke Flashcards
What are the risk factors for a stroke?
Increased blood pressure Smoking Heart disease Age Race Oral contraceptive High fat diet High alcohol intake Family history
What are the main symptoms of a stroke?
Loss of some function (sensory/motor)
What are the two main types of stroke?
Ischaemic
Haemmorhagic
What are the 4 main subtypes of stroke?
Total anterior circulation stroke
Partial anterior circulation stroke
Lacunar stroke
Posterior circulation stroke
In TACS, what arteries could be occluded?
Middle Cerebral
Internal carotid
What is the main difference between POCS and lacunar strokes?
POCS - Bilateral deficit
Lacunar - Unilateral weakness
What are the main investigations indicated for someone suspected to have a stroke
Blood tests (FBC)
ECG
Imaging (CT, MRI, Carotid doppler)
Echo
Why are stroke units so useful in the treatment of a stroke?
Mobilisation of the patient
Provide early therapy
What does thrombolysis aim to do?
Restore perfusion before cell death occurs
At what time following onset of symptoms do the risks of thrombolysis outweigh the benefits?
4.5 hrs
What can improve stroke outcomes if used alongside thrombolysis?
Clot retrieval
What are the main contraindications to thrombolysis?
Age
Recent bleeding
High BP
Once a haemmorhagic stroke has been excluded, what can be given to the patient?
Anti-platelets (aspirin)
When would a hemicraniectomy mainly be used?
When ischaemic stroke is complicated by a massive cerebral oedema
What is the main way of primary prevention of a stroke?
Control of risk factors
treat hypertension, smoking cessation
