Stroke + TIA

Question 1

What is a stroke

Answer 1

Sudden interruption in the vascular supply of the brain. Remember that neural tissue is completely dependent on aerobic metabolism so any problem with oxygen supply can quickly lead to irreversible damage.

Question 2

Types of stroke

Answer 2

Ischaemic (includes TIA) (85%)
Hemorrhagic (15%)

Question 3

Define TIA

Answer 3

Sudden onset of a focal neurologic symptom and/or sign lasting typically less than an hour, brought on by a transient decrease in blood flow

Question 4

Subtypes of ischaemic stroke

Answer 4

Thrombotic stroke
thrombosis from large vessels e.g. carotid

Embolic stroke
usually a blood clot but fat, air or clumps of bacteria may act as an embolus
atrial fibrillation is an important cause of emboli forming in the heart

Question 5

Subtypes of hemorrhagic stroke

Answer 5

Intracerebral haemorrhage
bleeding within the brain

Subarachnoid haemorrhage
bleeding on the surface of the brain

Question 6

Risk factors ischaemic stroke

Answer 6

CV risk factors
-age
-hypertension
-smoking
-hyperlipidaemia
-diabetes mellitus

Afib

Question 7

RFs for hemorrhagic stroke

Answer 7

Old age
hypertension
arteriovenous malformation
anticoagulation therapy

Question 8

hemorrhagic stroke

Answer 8

weakening of cerebral vessels leading to cerebral vessel rupture and haematoma formation. Clinical deficit is caused directly by neuronal injury and indirectly by cerebral oedema (this peaks at day 5 following symptom onset).

Question 9

Ischaemic stroke

Answer 9

sudden onset focal neurological deficit of vascular aetiology, with symptoms lasting >24 hours (or with evidence of infarction on imaging)

Question 10

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