Symptoms and Treatment of Stroke Flashcards
Do stroke symptoms come on quickly or slowly?
Quickly
Which arteries supply the brain?
External carotid
Internal carotid
Vertebral arteries
What does the vertebro-basilar system supply?
The brain stem, cerebellum and occipital lobes
Where does the carotid system supply?
Most of the hemispheres and cortical deep white matter
What are the common signs of a stroke?
Motor (clumsy or weak limb)
Sensory (loss of feeling)
Speech: slurred or loss
Neglect / visuospatial problems
Vision: loss in one eye, or hemianopia
Gaze palsy
What is the most important symptom of someone with a stroke?
Reduced function
Define Dysphasia
Difficulty putting sentences together e.g. putting words in the wrong order
Define Dysarthria
Difficulty speaking e.g. slurring
What may be symptoms of a stroke affecting the brainstem?
Ataxia-cannot control movement
Vertigo- dizziness
Incoordination
Nystagmus
What are some of the symptoms of Anterior Cerebral Artery occlusion?
Paralysis of contra-lateral foot and leg
Sensory loss over contra-lateral toes, foot and leg
Impairment of gait and stance.
What are some of the symptoms of Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion?
Contra-lateral paralysis of face/arm/leg
Contra-lateral sensory impairment
Contralateral homonymous hemianopia- lose half of vision
Gaze paralysis to the opposite side
Aphasia if stroke on the dominant (left) side so unable to speak
Unilateral neglect for half of external space if non-dominant stroke (usually right side).
In which type of stroke is there none of the usual stroke symptoms?
Small vessel artery occlusion
What is the type of stroke which affects only a small part of the brain?
Small vessel (lacunar) stroke
Which parts of the brain might be affected by a posterior artery stroke?
Brain Stem / Cerebellum / Thalamus
Parts of occipital and temporal lobes
What are some of the symptoms for a posterior artery stroke on the brain?
Coma, drop attacks, vertigo, nausea,
Vomiting, cranial nerve palsies, ataxia.
Hemiparesis, hemisensory loss
Crossed sensori-motor deficits
Visual field deficits
What are the four subgroups of stroke?
TACS: Total anterior circulation stroke
PACS: Partial anterior circulation stroke
LACS: Lacunar stroke
POCS: Posterior circulation stroke
Approx how many patients will die in the first year after a stroke?
1/3
What % of stroke survivors become dependant on others?
50%
Which types of cholesterol are important when it comes to strokes?
Lipoprotein, apoA and apoB
What are some of the conditions which are associated with strokes?
Previous TIA or strokes
Blood pressure poorly controlled
Angina
MI
Peripheral vascular disease
Aortic aneurysm
Carotid bruits
Renovascular disease
(Cocaine/ alcohol abuse)
What is the most important modifiable risk factor when it comes to stroke?
Hypertension
How much of an increase is their in developing a stroke because of diabetes?
3x
How much of an increase is their in developing a stroke because of smoking?
2x
Discuss why alcohol is a complicated risk factor of developing a stroke?
Small amounts of alcohol decreases stroke risks.
Large amounts of alcohol increase the risk by 2.5 x
