CVA intro and pathophysiology Flashcards
In the US, how many people have a stroke every year?
795,000 (1 in 4 have already had a previous stroke)
What is the leading cause of serious long-term neurological disability?
Stroke (reduces mobility in over half of stroke survivors ages 65 and up)
What is the “stroke belt” of the United states? Are the incidence rates higher than national average?
The southeast, 30% higher than the national average
What are the five non-modifiable risk factors for a stroke?
-women > men
-Age > 55 years old
-Race (black/hispanic> than white
American indian
Alaskan native
-Prior stroke (TIA and/or MI)
-Genetics
What are the modifiable risk factors for a stroke?
HTN (# 1 and most common preventable cause of stroke)
Diabetes (hyperglycemia = increased arterial plaque buildup)
CV disease
Obesity
Obstructive sleep apnea (72% of patients who had a stroke were found to have sleep apnea)
Blood disorders (specifically clotting disorders)
Arrhythmias (A-fib increases stroke risk x 5)
Physical inactivity
Diet
Smoking
Alcohol
Recreational drug use
What is an ischemic stroke?
Terminology explained:
Ischemia denotes diminished volume of perfusion…Infarction is the cellular response to lack of perfusion.
Cause: Gradual worsening of fatty deposits lining arterial walls (atherosclerosis)
ischemic strokes account for 87% of all strokes
What are two types of ischemic stroke?
Thrombotic
-Blockage caused by clot form within involved artery
-Can occur anywhere!
Embolic
-Blockage caused by clot that travels from elsewhere in circulatory system
-Common origins of clot: heart, large arteries of upper chest and neck
-Typically affect distal portions of arteries and smaller arteries
What is a hemorrhagic stroke?
Rupture of artery due to a weakened vessel wall
What are two types of hemorrhagic stroke?
-Intracerebral Hemorrhage (ICH)*
Most common hemorrhagic CVA
1o Cause: HTN
-Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (SAH)
1o Cause: Aneurysm and Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
These are named based off of where they occur in the nervous system
What are two types of subarachnoid hemorrhage?
Aneurysm: enlargement/ballooning of weakened vessel wall
Typically, asymptomatic until rupture
Arteriovenous malformation (AVM): tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins (50% will go onto causing CVA)
Symptoms: seizures, HA, weakness, speech and vision, or can be asymptomatic
arteriorvenous malformations are congenital
What is a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?
“A transient episode of neurological dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord, or retinal ischemia, without acute infarction.” (AHA 2014)
“Mini stroke” or “Warning stroke”
Symptoms last < 24 hours
There is a higher risk of a full stroke up to 90 days following a TIA
What is the difference between the infarct core and the penumbra of a stroke?
Infarct core is damaged badly via necrosis and results in neuronal cell death (the main area of the infarct)
Penumbra is potentially salvageable brain tissue surrounding the infarct core that is damaged as a result of apoptosis during a stroke
Leading intervention is to get care ASAP
What are some aspects of diagnosing a stroke?
-PMH
-Description of symptoms
Type of Symptoms
Largely dependent on location of insult
Common complaints: imbalance, paraesthesias, weakness, blurry or double vision,
“Worse HA of my my life” common with hemorrhages, particularly aneurysms
Aspects of diagnosing a stroke (part 2)
Description of Symptoms
Onset of Symptoms
Thrombotic: gradual onset, days to weeks
Most common in late PM or first thing AM, may see “wake up strokes”
Embolic: more abrupt than thrombotic, minutes to hours
Hemorrhagic: immediate, severe
Aneurysm: asymptomatic until rupture
AVM: may have preceding symptoms (seizures, etc)
What does (B.E.F.A.S.T) stand for? (clinical examination s and s to look for)
Balance: does person have lack of balance all of a sudden?
Eyes: Has person lost vision in one or both eyes?
Face: Does the person’s face look uneven?
Arms: Is one arm weak or numb?
Speech: Is the person’s speech slurred?
Time: Call 911 fast
