Stroke

Question 1

2 types of stroke

Answer 1

1. Ischemic stroke

2. Haemorrhagic stroke

Question 2

Ischemic Stroke

Answer 2

due to occlusion of a blood vessel in the brain

→ 85% of strokes are ischemic (atheroscelrosis)

Question 3

Causes of Ischemic Stroke

Answer 3

An Embolic Stroke - blood clot travels from other parts of the body like the heart to occlude a blood vessel

A thrombotic stroke - arises in brain or neck (LOCAL)

NB strokes do not always occur with an occlusion - oftentimes happens when vessel has been majorly narrowed

Question 4

Haemorrhagic stroke

Answer 4

intracerebral or subarachnoid space
(15%)
-Aneurysm
- Arteriovenous malformation (weakening of the vessel walls)

NB to remember the circle of willis

Question 5

When will therapies only work in stroke?

Answer 5

Therapy only works as long as the lack of blood flow did not lead to morphological destruction & functional impairment.

→ i.e., what is amenable to therapy: the Penumbra

Question 6

What is the penumbra?

Answer 6

The area of the brain which still receives some blood supply, and is generally perfused enough to sustain resting membrane potential but NOT evoked potentials
→ The volume of the penumbra depend on residual blood flow and duration of flow disturbance

“Time is brain”

Question 7

What can be used to identify the core and penumbra of a stroke?

Answer 7

MRI