Neurology Flashcards
what is a transient ischemic attack
sudden onset focal neurological deficit - temporary
what are the two types of transient ischemic attack
Internal carotid artery (anterior)- 90%
Vertebral (posterior) - 10%
what are causes of transient ischemic attack
Carotid thrombo-emboli
- thrombosis
- Emboli (AF)
what is the CHA2DS2 - VASc score
A way of assessing stroke risk from AF in AF patients
what are risk factors for transient ischemic attack
same as ischemic heart disease
- smoking
- diabetes T2
- hypertension
- Atrial fibrillation
- obesity/hypercholesterolemia
- VSD
what are the symptoms of anterior cerebral artery syndrome (transient ischemic attack)
weak numb contralateral leg
what are the symptoms of middle cerebral artery syndrome (transient ischemic attack)
weak numb contralateral side of body, face drooping w/forehead spared, dysphasia (temporal)
what is amaurosis fugax
this is when there is occlusion or reduced blood flow to the retina through the ophthalmic/retinal/ciliary artery
- sign that stroke is impending
what are the signs of a posterior coronary artery attack
vision loss
what is seen with occipital artery attack
contralateral homonymous hemianopia with macular sparing
what is seen in vertebral artery attack (transient ischemic attack)
cerebellar syndrome: DANISH
brainstem infarct
cranial nerve lesions 3-12
when can you differentiate between a stroke and a transient ischemic attack
after the recovery
how do you tell the difference between a transient ischemic attack and a stroke
TIA: resolve within minutes usually and always <24 hours with no infarct
Stroke: last 24 hours with infarct
how do you diagnose transient ischemic attack
clinically made
FAST scoring system = face, arms, speech, time
ABCD2 - age (>60), BP (>140/90). Clinical sx, duration, DMT2
how do you treat a transient ischemic attack
Acutely = 300mg of aspirin
prophylaxis long term = clopidogrel 75mg + atorvastatin 80mg
what is a stroke
a focal neurological defect lasting 24 hours with infarction
what are the two types of stroke
ischemic and haemorrhagic
what are the features of an ischemic stroke
mc - 85%
caused by carotid-thrombo-emboli
what are the features of haemorrhagic stroke
15% of strokes
caused by ruptured blood vessel
what can cause a haemorrhagic stroke
trauma
hypertension
berry aneurysm rupture
where are haemorrhagic strokes more common
intraendural
subarachnoid
what a specific sign of a stroke
the pronator drift
what is the pronator drift and what does it show
ask the patient to lift their arms to the ceiling and the arm affected will pronate and the palm faces down
- sign of a stroke
what are risk factors for stroke
hypertension
smoking
obesity
type 2 diabetes
atrial fibrillation
transient ischemic attack
hypercoagulability