Stroke: Transient Ischaemic Attack Flashcards

1
Q

Definition

A

NOT A STROKE
Sudden onset of focal neurological deficit due to temporary focal cerebral ischaemia without acute infarction
< 24 hours = typically 5-15 mins

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2
Q

Epidemiology

A

Males
Black people
Increasing age

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3
Q

Risk factors

A

IHD
Hypertension
Smoking
Diabetes
Hypercholesterolaemia
Atrial fibrillation
Carotid stenosis
Obesity/ Hypercholesterolaemia
VSD

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4
Q

Aetiology

A

Carotid Thromboembolism
- Thrombosis
- Emboli
* usually from carotid artery - listen for a carotid bruit *
Cardio embolism
- Atrial fibrillation
- After an MI
- Valve disease/ prosthetic valve
- Hyper viscosity
- Hyperinflation
- Hyper perfusion

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5
Q

Pathophysiology

A

90% = ICA (anterior circulation)
10% = Vertebral (posterior)

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6
Q

Symptoms

A

CAROTID -
Facial weakness
Limb weakness
Slurred speech
Amaurosis fugax
- Temporal occlusion of retinal artery/ hypoxia
- Unilateral
- “Like curtains descending”
VERTEBROBASILLAR - VerteBrobasiLlar
Vomiting
Loss of balance
Bilateral limb weakness

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7
Q

Signs

A

CAROTID -
Focal neurology
Irregular pulse (AF)
Carotid bruit - carotid artery stenosis
HTN
VERTEBROBASILLAR -
Diplopia
Vertigo
Ataxia

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8
Q

ACA signs

A

Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss: weak numb contralateral leg
(Lower > Upper)

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9
Q

MCA

A

Contralateral hemiparesis and sensory loss:
- weak numb contralateral side of body,
- face drooping with forehead spared
- contralateral homonomous hemianopia
- dysphagia (temporal)
- aphasia

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10
Q

PCA

A
  • Vision loss = contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparring - occipital cortex affected
  • Visual agnosia
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11
Q

Vertebral artery

A

Cerebellar syndrome
Positive Romberg test (sensory + motor ataxia)
Brain stem infarct
CN lesions 3-12

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12
Q

Diagnosis

A

FIRST LINE = Bloods
- Glucose (rule out hypo)
- FBC (polycythaemia)
- ESR (raised in vasculitis)
- Cholesterol
CT scan (rule out haemorrhage)
Carotid artery doppler USS (stenosis or atheroma)
GOLD STANDARD = Clinical judgement - until there is recovery = it is impossible to differentiate from a stroke

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13
Q

Risk Score

A

ABCD2: a risk stratifying tool to determine the risk of future stroke:
Age > 60 (1)
BP > 140/90 (1)
Clinical symptoms:
- unilateral weakness (2)
- slurred speech, no weakness (1)
DMT2 (1)
* Score > 6 refer to neurology asap, risk of stroke in a week -= 35.5% *

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14
Q

Treatment

A

FIRST LINE = 300mg of Aspirin
- 75mg Clopidogrel long term + Atorvastatin 80mg

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15
Q

When not to offer aspirin in these circumstances

A
  • Bleeding disorder or taking an anticoagulant: needs immediate admission and assessment
  • Taking low-dose aspirin regularly: continue the current dose and arrange a specialist review
  • Aspirin is contraindicated: needs specialist advice
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