Stroke

Question 1

What is a stroke?

Answer 1

Acute onset of focal neurological signs and symptoms due to disruption to blood supply to the brain

Question 2

Name the 2 catergories of stroke and what causes both

Answer 2

Haemorrhagic - rupture of weakened blood vessel = reduced blood supply

Ischameic - occluded blood vessel

Question 3

Name the 3 causes of ischaemic stroke

Answer 3

Thrombus (clot formed at site)
Emboli (clot travelled)
Hypoperfusion (atherosclerosis causing artery to occlude)

Question 4

How does a TIA differ from a stroke?

Answer 4

TIA will recover in 24hr and unlikely to cause brain damage (but put you at higher risk of stroke)

Question 5

What is a stroke mimic and what 3 things can cause one?

Answer 5

All the signs of a stroke but not due to disruption to blood flow

Hypoglycaemia
Migraine
Seizures

Question 6

What is the only way to differentiate between haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke - and as a result first line investigation

Answer 6

CT scan
Dark areas = ischaemia
White areas = blood

Question 7

What treatment is given to a patient post stroke to prevent further episodes

Answer 7

SAD
statin
antihypertensive drugs
dual anti-platelet (ticagrelor and aspirin)

Question 8

What are the two sites of emboli formation which can cause a stroke?

Answer 8

Atherosclerotic plaques - (usually cause infarction on same side as effected carotid)
Heart - (usually from LA and will affect multiple teritorries)

Question 9

How would you prevent further disability in a stroke patient?

Answer 9

<4.5hrs = thrombolysis
<6hrs = thromocetlomy (removal of clot via a catheter)

Question 10

What kind of stroke is most associated with AF?

Answer 10

Embolic