Stroke Flashcards
What is a TIA?
transient ischaemic attack
- sudden onset of focal neurological symptoms <24hours
What is a major red flag for future stroke risk?
TIA
How does a TIA present?
Focal neurological deficit - features mimic those of a stroke in same arterial territory
Brief duration of symptoms
How do you diagnose a TIA?
blood glucose
FBC
ECG
MRI brain
How is a TIA treated?
anti platelet therapy - clopidogrel mono therapy (better than aspirin)
control CVS risk factors: treat hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking cessation
surgery: carotid endarterectomy (what grandad had)
What are the 2 stroke classifications?
Haemorrhagic
Ischaemic
What is a stroke?
acute neurological deficit lasting >24hours
What is an ischaemic stroke?
Vascular occlusion or stenosis
What is a haemorrhagic stroke?
Haemorrhage into brain - vascular rupture
What are some general stroke symptoms?
visual defect
weakness (face, arms, legs - usually unilateral)
aphasia
ataxia
What are symptoms of carotid artery disease?
contralateral weakness or sensory loss
What are symptoms of a middle cerebral artery stroke?
Weakness predominantly in contralateral face and arm
What are symptoms of an anterior cerebral artery stroke?
Weakness and sensory loss in contralateral leg
What are symptoms of vertebra-basilar artery disease?
Vertigo Ataxia Dysarthria Dysphasia 'brain stem syndromes'
What are risk factors for stroke?
hypertension smoking diabetes heart disease AF PVD past TIA past stroke
