Stroke and TIA Flashcards
Define stroke
Sudden onset of rapidly developing focal or global neuro disturbance for >24h/until death
What is TIA
Episode of transient neuro dysfunction caused by focal brain/SC/retinal ischaemia without evidence of acute infarction.
<24hrs
What proportion of strokes are ischaemic vs haemorrhagic?
85% ischaemic
15% haemorrhagic
What is more common stroke or TIA?
Stroke
What do you need to cover in history
Symptoms- neuro defecit and assoc sx (headache, vomiting, consciousness)
Onset- when, what doing, progression of sx.
Risk factors- cardio disease, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, pregnancy, recent trauma, illness/surgery, alcohol/drugs
R/O- migraine, GCA, preceding trauma, seizures
PMH- thrombophilia –> thromboembolic events, miscarrigae
FH- stroke
What if they don’t know the time of onset?
When do they last know that they were unaffected?
what examinations do you need to do?
ABC and vital signs
Cardio (HF, AF, murmurs, valvular HD, endocarditis)
Neuro including fundoscopy. FAST initial screen.
What do you look for on fundoscopy?
Intraocular haemorrhage (aneurysmal SAH)
What investigations?
blood glucose to r/o hypo
ECG exclude arryth and look for AF
What is the score for stroke vs stroke mimic?
ROSIER
What is ABCD2 score?
For TIA patients without neuro signs when seen. To assess risk of another TIA or of stroke.
> 4- assess within 24hr
<4- assess within 1w
Includes- age, BP, clinical features, duration
Very initial management of susp stroke
ASAP
Arrange immediate admission to stroke facility and in the mean time monitor and manage ABC- need to determine whether haemorrhagic or ischaemic
Imaging should be within 1hr
Can you start anti-platelet therapy immediately?
No wait until haemorrhagic r/o
What is the management if confirmed ischaemic?
Aspirin 300mg oral or rectal (NB safe swallow)
Thrombolysis IF within 4.5hrs symptom onset- alteplase
Absolute C/I to thrombolysis
Prev IC haemorrhage
Seizure at onset of stroke
Intracranial neoplasm
Susp SAH
Stroke/TBI preceding 3m
LP preceding 7 days
GI haemorrhage preceding 3w
Active bleeding
Pregnancy
Oesoph varices
Uncontrolled HTN (>200/120)