Stroke Flashcards
Define a stoke
- acute onset of focal neurological symptoms and signs, due to desruption of blood supply
What are the two types of stoke?
- ischaemic
- haemorrhagic
What is the most common type of stroke?
- ischaemic
Define an ischaemic stroke
- clot blocks blood flow to an area of the brain
Define a haemorrhagic stroke
- bleeding occcurs inside or around brain tissue
What are causes of haemorrhagic strokes?
- high blood pressure
- weakend blood vessel walls (aneurysm or vasculitis)
Define thrombotic
- clot blocking artery at the site of occlusion
Define embolic
- clot blocking artery has travelled to the artery it occuludes
Define hypoperfusion
- due to reduced blood flow due to stenosed artery rather than occlusion of artery
What are potentially reversible risk factors for strokes?
- hyperlipidaemia
- hypertension
- smoking
- AF
What drug should be given to prevent furture strokes in a patient who has suffered an ischaemic stroke?
- statins
What way is a stroke diagnosed?
- CT brain
- MRI
What should a young patient be screened for if they present with a stroke?
- thrombophillia
Atheroembolism?
- embolism from a thrombus forming on a atheroscleroting plaque
- same side as affected carotid artery
Cardioembolism?
- embolism from a clot formed in the heart
- usually left artium
- ECG
Treatment of an ischaemic stroke?
- up to 4.5hrs –> thrombolysis
- up to 6hrs –> thrombectomy
Treatement of an haemorrhagic stroke
- lower BP
- Surgery
Drugs given to prevent furture strokes?
- asprin + clopederol
- statins (ischaemic)
- diabetes management
What does TIA stand for?
- Transient Ischaemia Attack
Define a Transient Ischameic Attack (TIA)
- Temporary neurological symptoms due to occlusion of artery stopping blood flow.
Why is a TIA only temporary?
- arteries capable of dissolving small clots
