ACUTE STROKE Alexa Lauch IMG 310 Summer Semester 2016

Acute Stroke ■Definition: An acute stroke is a medical condition that occurs or develops, suddenly or abruptly. It can be either ischemic or hemorrhagic. ■Ischemic stroke – the blood supply to the brain is cut off because a blood vessel has been blocked by either a blood clot or atherosclerosis ■Hemorrhagic stroke – artery in brain bleeds

CT Views AXIAL VIEW SAGITTAL VIEW AXIALSAGITTAL CORONAL

Acute Stroke Etiology: the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition (Risk factors) ■High blood pressure ■Cigarette smoking ■High cholesterol ■Diabetes ■Obstructive sleep apnea ■Cardiovascular disease ■Family history of strokes, heart attack or transient ischemic attack ■Being age 55 or older ■Men and african americans are at higher risk Epidemiology: the branch of medicine that deals with the incidence, distribution, and possible control of diseases and other factors relating to health ■Studies state that subarchboid haemorrage is a distinct epidemiological entity because in most cases these patients are admitted into the hospital

Signs and Symptoms ■Signs &Symptoms: –Trouble with speaking and understanding –Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or leg –Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes –Headache –Trouble with walking ■Modality Best Imaged: MRI best visualizes acute strokes and is far more informative, although CT does well imaging also

Treatment and Prognosis Treatment ■Aspirin ■Intravenous injection of tissue plasminogen activator ■Emergency procedures such as medications delivered directly to the brain & mechanical clot removal ■Carotid endarterectomy – surgeon removes plaques from arteries and brain ■Angioplasty and stents ■Surgical blood vessel repair ■Surgical clipping ■Coiling (endovascular embolization) ■Surgical AVM removal ■Intracranial bypass ■Stereotactic radiosurgery Prognosis – a stroke can sometimes cause temporary or permanent disabilities, depending on how long the brain lacks blood flow and which part is affected ■Paralysis or loss of muscle movement ■Difficulty talking or swallowing ■Memory loss or thinking difficulties ■Emotional problems ■Pain ■Change in behavior and self care ability

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