Stroke: Clinical features and acute therapy Flashcards
Cornerstones of acute ischaemic stroke therapy?
- rapid recanalisation
- stroke unit
- hemicraniectomy
- preventing secondary stroke
Cornerstones of intracerebral haemorrhage therapy?
- prevent haematoma growth
- stroke unit
- [additional measures]
Imaging modality of choice for stroke?
CT
fast and widely available
What to do if neuro symptoms in clinical exam and no intracranial haemorrhage?
[if persisting deficit <4.5hr/<6hr OR CCT early infarct signs <1/3
- IV thrombolysis
- mechanical thrombectomy
What to do with unknown symptom onset w/ neuro symptoms in clinical exam?
- multimodal MRI/CT based thrombolysis
What is IV thrombolysis (rtPA) and dosage?
[<4.5 hrs]
Only licensed medical therapy of acute ischaemic stroke in 4.5hr time window
0.9 mg/kg BW over 60 mins
10% of this dose given as bolus over 1 min
MAX dose = 90mg
Most important primary outcome measure in stroke?
Modified Rankin Scale
[see lecture]
Experimental effect of thrombolysis?
Increased proportion of pts w/ good functional outcome (mRS)
the further from symptom onset that tPA is given, the less of a +ve effect it has
What is perfusion-DWI mismatch?
Perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) - Diffusion-weighted imaging = DWI/PWI mismatch
This shows us the area of brain that is salvageable.
Experimental evidence of DWI/PWI mismatch imaging?
[ECASS-4/ EXTEND trials]
IV thrombolysis of patitents w/ perfusion-DWI mismatch in 4.5-9hr time window improves outcome
[WAKE-UP trial]
IV thrombolysis of patients with DWI-FLAIR mismatch in 4.5hr time window after awakening improves outcome
List some methods of interventional recanalisation in stroke?
- ultrasound (EKOS)
- shock wave/ vacuum: angiojet
- retrieval devices (MERCI, penumbra)
- laser devices (EPAR)
- stentretrievers
Results of mechanical thrombectomy vs rTPA?
Numbers needed to treat to achieve:
- 1 more independent patient: 5
- a reduction in disability by 1 mRS point: 2.7
[to compare: 21 for PCI in MI to prevent 1 death]
In other words. For 100 patients: 20 more will be independent and 38 more will be less disabled
Importance of rapid administration of mechanical thrombectomy and rTPA?
30 min delay: 12% less chance of good clinical outcome
NICE recommendations of thrombectomy?
Recommended in selected patients up to 24 hours after symptom onset
ESO recommendations for mechanical thrombectomy?
Within 4.5 hrs to treat acute stroke patients w/ large artery occlusions in anterior circulation up to 6hrs after symptom onset
Mechanical thromb shouldn’t prevent initiating IV thromb and vice versa when indicated
Mech thromb should be performed ASAP after its indication
