Stroke - Presentation & Investigation Flashcards
What is the commonest cause of long term illness in the UK?
Stroke
What percentage of NHS beds do patients who have had a stroke occupy?
20%
How much does stroke cost the UK per year?
Over £5 billion
What is the age of most stroke patients?
More than half are over 70
What is a stroke?
The sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery to the brain
What is the the sudden death of brain cells due to lack of oxygen, caused by blockage of blood flow or rupture of an artery to the brain called?
Stroke
What is stroke caused by?
Blockage of blood flow or supture of an artery to the brain
What are key things for it to be stroke?
Of sudden onset
Lasting more than 24 hours
Of vascular origin
What is the difference between stroke and transient ischaemic attack?
Stroke lasts for longer than 24 hours, transient ischaemic attack lasts for less
What is transient ischaemic attack?
A brief episode of neurological dysfunction resulting from an interruption in the blood supply to the brain
What is a brief episode of neurological dysfunction resulting from an interruption in the blood supply to the brain called?
Transient ischaemic attack
What are symptoms of stroke?
Loss of power
Loss of sensation
Loss of speach
Loss of vision
Loss of coordination
What does the neurological history/examination for stroke involve?
Motor (clumsy or weak limbs)
Sensory (loss of feeling)
Speech (dysarthria/dysphasia)
Neglect/visuospatial problems
Vision (loss in one eye or hemianopia)
Gaze pulsy
Ataxia/vertigo/incoorination/nystagmus
What is dysarthria?
Difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise normal
What is difficult or unclear articulation of speech that is otherwise normal called?
Dysarthria
What is gaze pulsy?
Symmetric limitation of the movement in direction of both eyes
What is symmetric limitation of the movement in direction of both eyes
Gaze pulsy
What is ataxia?
Disorder that affects balance
What is a disorder that affects balance?
Ataxia
What does the anatomy of blood circulation of the brain involve?
Anterior circulation
Posterior circulation
Circle of Willis
What will a small stroke in the deep white matter result in?
Major deficit as the fibres are packed closely together
What are some of the causes of stroke?
Blockage of a vessel with a thrombus or clot
Disease of the vessel wall
Disturbance of normal properties of blood
Rupture of the vessel wall