Stroke Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 4 constitutional presentations of a posterior circulation stroke?

Why do we see these symptoms

A

Ataxia and the 4 D’s:

  • Dysphagia
  • Dysarthria
  • Dizziness
  • Diploplia

We see these symptoms as it is the posterior circulation that is affected hence the visions and speech issues and also there is brainstem involvement hence gait issues.
Posterior circulation arises from vertebral arteries.

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2
Q

What are the 4 constitutional presentations of an anterior circulation stroke?

What vessels would be occluded to cause this?

A

ANAH;

Apraxia - loss of information as to how to conduct actions despite preserved motor neurone

Neglect
Aphasia - eg broca/wernicke
Hemiparesis

Carotid artery! (internal?)

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3
Q

What is apraxia?

Which part of the body is usually the most common apraxia presentation?

A

Apraxia is a motor disorder caused by damage to the brain (specifically the posterior parietal cortex) in which the individual has difficulty with the MOTOR PLANNING to perform tasks or movements when asked.

Speech apraxia is most commonly seen, its not that the muscles are weak but rather that there is a failure of signals coming from that part of the brain.

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4
Q

Which part of the brain is usually affected by lesions resulting in apraxia?

A

Usually the dominant hemisphere ; in most people (right handed) that is the left lobe.

It can sometimes be on the right

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5
Q

Which other speech issue must speech apraxia not be confused with?

A

Broca’s aphasia!

This is when comprehension is okay but there is difficulty producing speech.

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6
Q

What is the differnece between apraxia and aphasia?

A

Aphasia is all to do with speech and language where apraxia is about motor planning so can affect anywhere

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7
Q

What is most important ivx to do when patient has stroke?

A

CT Head;

because NEED to exclude a haemmorhage. Once done, start THROMBOLYSIS straight away.

——-
CT head, + CTA first
Then MRI + MRA - if diagnostic uncertsininty or unable to visualise on ct

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8
Q

Management of ischaemic stroke with No contraindications to thrombolysis?

A

Thrombolysis;

  1. Alteplase IV
    1a. Aspirin 300mg PO, 24hrs after 1.
    1b. Swallowing assessment
    1c. Can be assessed to see if can retrieve clot with stent
    1d. Heparin SC
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9
Q

Management of ischaemic stroke with contraindications to thrombolysis?

A

Aspirin, 300mg PO 1Xpd

Can add Heparin SC

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10
Q

Management of haemorrhagic stroke?

A

admit to icu, intubate etc

surgery may be required - craniotomy - to remove haematoma

blood pressure control - Labetalol IV
antipyretic measures - paracetamol PO

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11
Q

HTN is associated more strongly with which stroke?

A

Haemorrhagic

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12
Q

Presenting symptoms of ischaemic stroke?

risk factors?

A

vision loss - post circulation
weakness
aphasia - dominant hemisphere stroke
ataxia - imparied coordination

etc

FAST;
face - droop
arms - weak, hanging
speech - difficulty
time
risk factors;
Hx AF
Sickle cell
Hypercoagulable states - F5 Leiden, protein c/s deficiency
carotid artery stenosis
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13
Q

Presenting symptoms of haemorrhagic stroke?

risk factors?

A
Nick stiffness
Hemianopia or Diplopia
Photophobia
Weakness
Aphasia
Ataxia
risk factors;
Hx AF
Hx Haematological disorder
Anticoagulation therapy
Haemophilia, bleeeding disroders
HH Telangiectasis
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14
Q

Presenting symptoms of haemorrhagic stroke?

risk factors?

A
Nick stiffness
Hemianopia or Diplopia
Photophobia
Weakness
Aphasia
Ataxia
risk factors;
Hx AF
Hx Haematological disorder
Anticoagulation therapy
Haemophilia, bleeeding disroders
HH Telangiectasis
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15
Q

which artery indicated in lateral medulla syndrome?

signs and symptoms?

A

PICA
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery

mainly sensory losses + eye sx

vertigo,
ipsilateral ataxia,

ipsilateral Horner’s syndrome, (+nystagmus, diplopia)
ipsilateral hemisensory loss; face

dysarthria,
contralateral spinothalamic sensory loss; pain + temp

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16
Q

considering the motor homunculus and the cerebral artery territories, what deficits would you see on disruption of the anterior cerebral circulation?

A

Lower limb weakness

Confusion

17
Q

What deficits would you see on disruption of the Middle cerebral circulation?

A

Facial weakness

Hemiparesis (motor cortex)

Hemisensory loss (sensory cortex)

Apraxia

Hemineglect (parietal lobe)

Receptive or expressive dysphasia (due to involvement of Wernicke’s and Broca’s areas)

Quadrantopia (if superior or inferior optic radiations are affected)

18
Q

What mechanism caused carotid dissections to result in stroke?

A

The area of dissection means the endothelium is not smooth as intimal layer is affected.
This activated the intrinsic coagulation pathway (FXII) leading to formation of clots.

19
Q

What are the differentials for stroke in younger adults?

A

Cocaine
Aortic Dissection - most common
Trauma - can result in emboli? Or dissection

SLE
Syphillis
Antiphospholipid syndrome
Fabrys disease
Sickle cell
20
Q

What screening test must you include in stroke work up in younger patients?

A

Lupus markers, ANA, clotting screen, haemoglobinopathirs, fabrys disease, HIV, Syphilis , homocysteine, APLS,

21
Q

what meds do we use in the secondary prevention on diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or TIA without paroxysmal or permanent atrial fibrillation ?

A
  1. Clopidogrel 75mg

2nd line - Dipyridamole 200mg BD

3rd line - Aspirin

22
Q

what meds do we use in the secondary prevention of stroke in the presence of atrial fibrillation ?

A

DOAC - Apixaban, Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban

If the chads2vasc score is 2+ - must know how to calculate by heart

unless if they have a metallic heart valve - need aspirin

23
Q

how would a posterior circulation stroke present?

A
– Diplopia
– Dysarthria; affects muscles of speech - weak or paralysed
– Dizziness
– Dysphagia; issues swallowing
– Crossed findings

gaze palsy
cerebellar signs

24
Q

cause of Lateral medullary syndrome?

A

Commonest brainstem stroke syndrome

25
Q

what is a lacunar infarct?

A

type of ischaemic stroke <1.5mm

Affects branches of MCA going to below areas

affects; bassal ganglia, internal capsule

cause; HTN most likely

26
Q

presentation of lacunar infarct? (a type of MCA stroke)

A

symptoms are either purely sensory or purely motor

sensory; contraleteral loss

motor; contralateral weakness, ataxia, dysarthria

27
Q

2022- when would a carotid endarterectomy be considered?

A

when carotid artery stenosis is >50%

28
Q

what is a hemiplegic gait?

A

pyramidal distribution extensors affected in legs, flexors affected in arm;

walk with lelg swinging out the side, arms and wrists flexed

29
Q

Post stroke ivx?

A

Carotid USS for stenosis
ECG
24hr ECG - hooter
Echo - for PDA

Hx for risk factors.