Stroke

Question 1

what is the medical term for stroke?

Answer 1

Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Question 2

What is the general pathophysiology for a stroke

Answer 2

stopped blood flow to a part of the brain. Caused by a blockage or the rupture of a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain

Question 3

what are the two different types of stroke?

Answer 3

Ischaemic

Haemorrhagic

Question 4

What is a Ischaemic stroke?

Answer 4

occurs when the artery becomes blocked by a blood clot

Question 5

What is a Haemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 5

results in an accumulation of blood on the brain due to the bursting of an artery (aneurysm) or leaking blood vessels from increased arterial pressure

Question 6

What are 8 risk factors for a stroke?

Answer 6

1. high BP
2. Atrial fibrillation
3. Diabetes
4. obesity
5. alcohol
6. smoking
7. woman on birth control (higher risk of clotting)
8. family history of strokes/ TIAs

Question 7

what is a TIA?

Answer 7

TIA’s are known as mini-strokes because the signs and symptoms that occur are the same, but are temporary, only lasting about a minute. Since the blood flow obstruction to the brain is temporary in a TIA, there usually is no permanent injury to the brain but it is still important to act QUICKLY and get medical help.

Question 8

The acronym FAST is used to explain the signs and symptoms of a stroke. What does each letter stand for?

Answer 8

F= facial drop 
A= arm weakness
S = speech difficulty 
T = time to call 111

Question 9

Apart from the the signs and symptoms explained in the FAST acronym what are some others associated with a stroke?

Answer 9

• severe headache with no known cause
• confusion
• dizziness
• impaired vision
• loss of balance
• loss of coordination

Question 10

what are usually the first tests done to diagnose a stroke and why is this the case?

Answer 10

either a CT or MRI

to determine whether it was an ischaemic of haemorrhagic

Question 11

What technologies are used to diagnose a stroke?

Answer 11

• CT scan
• MRI
• blood tests
• ECG
• Carotid ultrasound
• Cerebral angiography

Question 12

what do you do if you see someone having a stroke?

Answer 12

• put in recovery position
• note time of first symptoms
• don’t give them anything to eat/drink or medication
• call emergency services

Question 13

What 3 types of medication is often associated with stroke?

Answer 13

• anticoagulants
• antihypertensive
• antiplatelets

Question 14

what does anti-platelet medication do? Give an example

Answer 14

Anti platelets – decrease platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus formation. They do this by decreasing the ability for blood to form clots (platelet aggregation) by influencing the platelet activation process
Eg asprin and clopidogrel

Question 15

What does anti-hypertensive drugs do? what are some of the most common forms of these?

Answer 15

Lower bp to reduce risk of stroke and risk of secondary stroke. Many diff types- most common = thiazide diuretics, ace inhibitors, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin 2 receptor antagonists (ARBs)

Question 16

what does anti-coagulant drugs do? Give an example of one

Answer 16

Reduce bloods ability to coagulate and prolong the clotting time. They re closely related to antiplatelets. However, they inhibit the coagulation cascade after initial platelet aggregation
Eg warfarin and rivaroxban

Question 17

what are the two treatment options which would likely be taken when dealing with an Ischaemic stroke?

Answer 17

• Iv infusion of thrombolytic agent to break down clot
  OR
• Clot retrieval procedure – (surgery

Question 18

What is the usual treatment action taken with a Haemorrhagic stroke?

Answer 18

Find point of bleed by taking images by inserting a catheter through the femoral artery – squirts dye to give a picture of the imaging technology

Bleeding point is closed using ting coils which fill up the bleeding point

Or if vessel has burst pt has to undergo an open skull surgery

excessive blood is also drained from the head to reduce pressure