Stroke - Dr. Lanier Flashcards

Dr. Lanier EXAM V

1
Q

What are the different types of strokes?

A

-Acute ischemic stroke (cerebrovascular accident CVA - 87%)
-Hemorrhagic stroke (13%)
Subarachnoid: rupture of the intracerebral aneurysm
intracranial: bleeding into the parenchyma
-Cryptogenic stroke
-Transient ischemic stroke (TIA): symptoms improve within 24h, no image in infarction

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2
Q

What are Cryptogenic strokes

A

The cause of the stroke is unknown

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3
Q

Risk factors for strokes

A

-Hypertension #1
-Diabetes
-Arrhythmias
-Smoking
-Physical inactivity
-Nutrition
-Genetics
-Anxiety, depression

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3
Q

What causes the stroke?

A

-Carotid plaque from emboli that breaks off within the arteries

-Carotid stenosis: narrowing of the arteries -> reduced blood flow -> Ischemia (lack of oxygen to the brain)

-Atrial fibrillation

-> RESULTS in cell death (irreversible)

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4
Q

Women-specific risk factors

A

-Women are older when they have their strokes
-early menopause
-use of oral contraceptives
-use of estrogen or progestin
-pregnancy or first 6 weeks after pregnancy

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5
Q

Stroke signs and symptoms

!!!

A

-depends on the area of the brain involved

-weakness on one side
-inability to speak
-Aphasia (language disorder caused by damage in the brain)
-loss of vision, a feeling of vertigo
-severe headache (more often in hemorrhagic stroke)
-hemi or monoparesis
-altered level of consciousness

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6
Q

Acronym BE FAST

!!

A

Balance
Eyes (loss of visual field)
Facial dropping: numbness, uneven smile
Arm weakness: weak or numb, arm drift
Speech: slurred speech
Time is brain (the longer, the more damage -> Call 911)

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7
Q

What is used to assess the severity of a stroke?

A

-National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)
-from 0 to 42 - the more the worse
-ABCD (Age, BP, clinical features, duration of symptoms, diabetes)

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8
Q

Within what time frame must the NIHSS score be done?

A

within 12 hours

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9
Q

Why is the NIHSS score done?

A

To determine the appropriate therapy

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10
Q

What parameters are used for TIA (transient ischemic stroke)?

A

-Age: 60 or older
-BP: admission BP > 140/90
-Clinical features: what type of issues -> verbal? mono paresis (loss of function of one limb) or hemiparesis (one-sided muscle weakness)
-Duration of symptoms: 30 min, 30-60 min, >60 min -> 2 points in scoring

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11
Q

What score is the cut-off when deciding between anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy? !!!

A

between Minor and moderate stroke

-1-5: Minor stroke
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-6-15: moderate stroke

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12
Q

Which imaging tests are used to identify a stroke?

A

-Computed tomography (CT)
shows infarction within 24 hours
uses radiation
quick, cheap, and easy

-Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
shows infarction within minutes
causes anxiety though (claustrophobia)
more accurate
hardware inside the body is contraindicated

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13
Q

Which of the imaging tests should be done first?

A

CT scan

-it quickly shows if there is a bleed (hemorrhagic stroke) -> AVOID blood-thinner

-infarction reveal may take up to 24h: tells us where the ischemia has occurred

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14
Q

What is the penumbra pattern?

A

-on MRI
-shows the salvageable tissue (can be reversed with pharmacotherapy therapy)
-shows the area that is dead

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15
Q

Which agents are used acutely?

A

Thrombolytics
-Alteplase
-Tenecteplase

pt who do not qualify for Thrombolytics will use Antiplatelets:
-Aspirin
-Aspirin/dipyridimole
-P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, ticagrelor)

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16
Q

Secondary treatment of strokes

A

-pt who do not qualify for Thrombolytics will use Antiplatelets:
-Aspirin
-P2Y12 inhibitors (clopidogrel, ticagrelor)
-Aspirin/dipyridamole (not often used)

-GIIb/IIIa?: new data
-Antihyperlipidemic
-Anti-HTN

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17
Q

What is the MOA of Alteplase?
!!!

A

-it is a serine protease that converts Plasminogen into Plasmin

-Plasmin cuts fibrin -> breaks up the clot

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18
Q

What is the dose of Alteplase?
!!!

A

-0.9 mg/kg based on TBW
-Max: 90 mg !!!

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19
Q

How is Alteplase administered?
!!!

A

-start with 10% of the initial dose bolused over 1 minute

-remainder 90% of the dose infused over 1 hour

-> BOLUS is needed due to short-halflife

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20
Q

Indication of Alteplase/Tenecteplase

A

-18yo
-disabling ischemic stroke with NIHSS of at least 6, including severe strokes within 3hrs
-recommended within the first 3hrs of onset

-blood glucose >50 mg/dl (CHECK FIRST!!!), if <50 and corrected -> can still give the drug
-can be given with mono or dual antiplatelet therapy

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21
Q

What is the ideal time frame within Alteplase/Tenecteplase should be given?

A

Within 3 hrs (also 3-4.5 h)

-may also be effective when given up to 4.5 h, and the symptoms have occurred >4.5 h (eg during sleep) - ONLY if the MRI reveals that the tissue can be saved (FLAIR image)

-it starts with the last time the patient recalls normal function

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22
Q

Which NIHSS score should the patient have for Altaplese/Tenectaplese therapy?

A

At least 6

23
Q

Which lab has to be checked before giving Alteplase/Tenecteplase?
!!!!

A

Blood glucose

-patients with hypoglycemia may have signs of a stroke -> when given to those patients, they are at risk of bleeding

24
Q

What should the BP be before giving anti-thrombolytics?

A

less than 185/110

-still give the drug if troponin is not on baseline or EKG is off

25
Q

What are additional indications

A

Thrombolytics can still be given when:

26
Q

Contraindications for Thrombolytics
!!!

A

-mild nondiasbling stroke (NIHSS 0-5)
-acute intracerebral brain hemorrhage (ICH) - brain bleed, we dont want to make the blood more thin and increase the risk of bleeding

-history of bleeding in the head
-head trauma or ischemic stroke within 3 months
-intracranial/spinal surgery within 3 months
-GI bleed or GI cancer diagnosis in !! last 21 days !!

-full dose DOACS (dabigatran, heparin, enoxaparin), prophylactic is fine though
-IV Aspirin or abciximab

-infective endocarditis
-aortic arch dissection
-intra-axial intracranial neoplasm

-Coagulopathy: high values
platelets >100 000
INR > 7
aPTT > 40
PT > 15
give the drug, don’t wait for the results, stop the drug if the results are high

27
Q

Which drugs should not be given with thrombolytics?

A

-IV Aspirin
-Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors: eptifibatide or tirofiban
-Abciximab
-Enoxaparin: alteplase should NOT be given if received a full dose within 24 hr

28
Q

How are patients monitored after receiving thrombolytics?
Post-thrombolytic monitoring

A

-pt receiving alteplase will be monitored for at least 24 h in the ICU

-maintain BP <180/105 for 24h after thrombolytic (measure BP ev 15 min-> ev 30 min -> ev 1h to make sure BP is not increasing too much to prevent hemorrhagic transformation)

-repeat CT after 24h and make sure there is no bleeding
-if headache nor N/V develop, recommend emergency CT scan
-hold NG (nasogastral) tubes, bladder catheter if possible

29
Q

What to test for before starting anticoagulants after thrombolytic therapy?

A

CTI or MRI 24h after thrombolytics before starting anticoagulants or antiplatelets

30
Q

What to look out for in the first 24 h during antithrombolytic therapy?

A

-hemorrhagic conversion
-angioedema
-system bleeding

31
Q

MOA and indication of Tenectaplese

A

-same as alteplase: converts plasminogen to plasmin -> cuts Fibrin
-indicated for MI used off-label for ischemic stroke

-mutated version of alteplase -> longer half-life

32
Q

Dose of Tenectaplese

A

for MI: 0.5 mg/kg

for ischemic stroke: 0.25 mg/kg TBW (Max: 25 mg) !!!

guideline indication: for patients eligible for mechanical thrombectomy - but used off-label for ischemic stroke

33
Q

Difference between alteplase and tenecteplase

A

-tenecteplase is
-has a longer half-life
-resistance to plasminogen-activator inhibitors is greater
-fibrin-specificity is greater
-dosing is simple -> one-time bolus vs 10% -> 90%
-cheaper (7000$ vs 10 000$9

34
Q

What did the TIMELESS and TWIST study come up with?

A

when it comes to treating patients beyond the 4.5 h after stroke symptoms range, tenecteplase did not have better outcomes than placebo

35
Q

What is the BP cut-off that does not require BP treatment within the first 48-72h after a stroke?

A

NON-THROMBOLYTIC THERAPY:

-if less than 220/120 mmHg don’t treat for 48-72h
-> the idea is that at the time of ischemic stroke blood flow to the brain is blocked, a high BP allows blood flow through a narrow artery

-if higher than 220/120 reduce by 15% in the first 24h

36
Q

Which drugs are used to treat high BP during the acute phase of stroke therapy?

A

-rapid-acting: Labetalol, Hydralazine
-continuous infusion (drip): Nicardipine, Clevidipine

37
Q

Secondary Prevention of strokes
Antiplatelets

A

-prevent another stroke
-patients without thrombolytics should have dual therapy (DAPT) within 24-48 to 72 hours

-patients with thrombolytics should get monotherapy after 24 hours:
Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Aspirin/Dipyridamole

-patients with mild stroke (low NIHSS) or high ABCD -> DAPT therapy (short-term)
Aspirin 81 mg + Clopidogrel 75 mg
Aspirin 81 mg + ticagrelor 90 mg BID

38
Q

MOA for Aspirin and P2Y12 inhibitors

A

Aspirin: inhibits COX-1 -> no platelets
P2Y12i: inhibits ADP -> no P2Y12 activation

P2Y12i : Clopidogrel, Ticagrelor, Prasugrel, Cangrelor…

39
Q

Things to AVOID during secondary prevention therapy

A

-don’t use anticoagulants, don’t switch to Warfarin
-increasing the dose of Aspirin is not effective (only increases the risk of bleeding)
-don’t put on triple therapy:
Aspirin + clopidogrel + dipyridamole

40
Q

What is the loading dose of DAPT in treating stroke?

A

-antiplatelets for secondary prevention or when not eligible for thrombolytic

Loading dose:
Aspirin 162-325 mg + Clopidogrel 300 mg
Aspirin 162-325 mg + Ticagrelor 180 mg

Maintenance dose:
Aspirin 81 mg + Clopidogrel 75 mg
Asprin 81 mg + Ticagrelor 90 mg

41
Q

What NIHSS score is preferred in which DAPT therapy?

A

Aspirin + Clopidogrel:
NIHSS: 3 or less
ABCD: 4 or more

Aspirin + Ticagrelor:
NIHSS: 5 or less
ABCD: 6 or more

42
Q

What is the duration time of DAPT?

A

Aspirin + Clopidogrel: 21 days then -> SAPT

Aspirin + Ticagrelor: 30 days then -> SAPT

43
Q

How is Clopidogrel metabolized?

A

prodrug -> activated by CYP2C19

-in patients with loss of function for CYP2C19,
ticagrelor is more effective since it is more potent

-in patients who are strong Cyp3A4 inducers, clopidogrel is better

-but Aspirin + clopidogrel was not less effective and it is safer in terms of bleeding risk since ticagrelor is more potent

44
Q

Treating stenosis of major intracranial artery

A

-TIA/stroke result (50-99%)
Aspirin 325 mg daily MONOTHERAPY

45
Q

Treating severe stenosis
FYI?

A

-stenosis (70-99%) of major intracranial artery within 30 days

-consider DAPT with clopidogrel for 90 days
-consider ticagrelor with >30% stenosis, for 30 days

46
Q

When are patients disqualified from DAPT therapy?

A

When they are on anticoagulant therapy

-they can only start antiplatelets on top of anticoagulants if the stroke is non-cardio-embolic -> BUT hold the anticoagulant until conformation that the stroke is not hemorrhagic

-may benefit when there is an indication (coagulopathy eg antiphospholipid syndrome) -> warfarin

47
Q

What is the goal BP in patients with hemorrhagic stroke?

A

SBP of 150-220 mmHg

SBP <140 is not preferred -> less perfusion
SBP > 220 -> lower with continuous infusion (to prevent further spread of the hemorrhage in the brain)

48
Q

What drugs to use in Afib

A

-DOACS (apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran)

restart anticoags
-minor strokes: within 48 h
-major strokes likely within 7 days

if the stroke is caused by Afib -> DOAC is enough - don’t add antiplatelet

if it is from carotid artery stenosis or arteriosclerosis -> adding antiplatelet may be beneficial

49
Q

What to do in hemorrhagic transformation?

A

Ischemic stroke -> turns into hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding)

-stop antiplatelets until the bleeding is controlled
-antiplatelet may be restarted later

50
Q

Lipid-lowering drugs

A

-patients (75 and younger) after stroke should be on a high-intensity statin
-75 and older: moderate or high-intensity

-if statin is maximized and goal (<70 LDL) is not reached -> add ezetimibe (Zetia) or PSK9 inhibitor

51
Q

When are lipid-lowering drugs contraindicated?

A

-when patients are on dialysis
-controversial in hemorrhagic stroke (may increase risk of bleeding, use Rosuvastatin or pravastatin if needed)

52
Q

Triglyceride and LDL

A

Triglycerides 135 - 499 mg/dl and LDL 41-100
icosapent ethyl (omega-3) 2 mg BID

Triglycerides >500: omega-3 +/- fibrates

53
Q

HTN goals

A

no history of HTN: treat when >130/80

history of HTN: get to <130/80

-Thiazides, ACEi/ARBs (or combi of both)
2nd line: CCB, MAR

54
Q

Is the patient eligible for thrombolytics?

A

-GI bleeding in the last 21 days?
-full dose DOACS (dabigatran, heparin, enoxaparin)
-IV aspirin or abciximab
-onset within 3 to 4-5 hf
-NIHSS score

-and more

55
Q

What disqualifies the patient from DAPT after thrombolytic therapy?

A

-if the patient has received thrombolytic -> NO DAPT

-NIHSS and ABCD score: <3/>4 and <5/>6

56
Q

Question

A

What is the LDL goal
You said to treat the patient to LDL even though is he is below 70?