Stroke |X Flashcards
What is the WHO definition of stroke?
A clinical syndrome, of presumed vascular origin, typified by rapidly developing signs of focal or global disturbance of cerebral functions lasting more than 24 hours or leading to death
What are 2 causes of stroke? What % are they?
- Cerebral infarction - 80%
2. Cerebral haemorrage - 20%
What are 2 causes of cerebral bleeds?
- Intracranial haemorrhage
2. Sub-arachnoid haemorrhage
What are common risk factors for a cerebral infarction (5)?
What are 4 less common risk factors for a cerebral infarction?
Common
- Hypertension
- Atrial fibrillation
- Smoking
- Hypercholesterolaemia
- Diabetes
Less common
- Pro-thrombotic conditions
- Infective endocarditis
- Alcohol
- Intravenous drug use
What 4 lifestyle changes can you make to reduce the incidence of stroke?
- Good bp control
- Diabetes
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Stopping smoking
What are the ddx of a stroke?
- Subdural haematoma
- Epilepsy
- Hypoglycaemia
- Brain tumours
- Migraine
- Encephalitis
- Cerebral abscess
How do you differentiate between a subdural haematoma from a stroke (3)?
- Subdural haematoma usually more gradual onset with fluctuating s+s, drowsiness
- Often preceded by hx of trauma or blood thinning agents
- CT scan will make diagnosis
How do you differentiate epilepsy from a stroke (2)?
- Collateral history - Todd’s paresis can develop in those who have had a fit
- More rapid recovery (24 hours)
How do you differentiate hypoglycaemia from a stroke (1)?
Check BM
How do you differentiate brain tumours from a stroke (2)?
- Usually more insidious (days-weeks) with a stuttering or slowly progressive course
- CT scan shows tumour
How do you differentiate migraines from a stroke (2)?
- Migraine can occasionally cause transient weakness which rapidly improves
- Headache usually prominent feature
How do you differentiate encephalitis from a stroke (3)?
- May be an antecedent feature of infection
- Fitting and fluctuation are more common with encephalitis
- Electroencephalogram most useful
How do you differentiate cerebral abscess from a stroke (2)?
- Think cerebral abscess if infective features, longer prodrome, headache and reduced consciousness
- CT
What are the classic symptoms of stroke (6)?
- Speech disturbance
- Expressive/receptive dysphasia
- dysarthria - Other higher cortical dysfunction
- dysphagia
- parietal lobe signs - Limb weakness
- Sensory disturbance
- Visual impairment
- Brainstem symptoms
How fast is the onset of symptoms of stroke?
Abruptly, usually without warning