Neurology Flashcards
What is the most common mechanism of stroke?
Ischaemic (85%)
What does FAST stand for?
Face
Arms
Speech
Time
What are the signs of an ACA stroke?
Contralateral weakness
Contralateral sensory loss/sensory inattention
Dysarthria
Dysphasia (receptive, expressive)
Homonymous
Hemianopia/visual inattention
Higher cortical dysfunction
How long should you avoid driving following a TIA?
One month - you must inform the DVLA of the TIA
What does the MCA supply?
Weakness and sensory loss to arms and face
What are the signs of an ACA stroke?
Weakness and sensory loss to feet and legs
Incontinence
List 2 causes of an ischaemic stroke
- Embolic - products, pregnancy (placenta - rare)
- Atherosclerosis
- Vasculitis
- Thrombophillia
- Shock - watershed
What is the pharmacology of anticoagulants?
- Heparin, LMWH (dalteparin)
Act on the coagulation cascade (involved in the formation of fibrin).
Bind to antithrombin 3, accelerates its action, resulting in blocking 10a and thrombin.
- NOAC - dabigatran, apixaban
What is the pharamoclogy of antiplatelets?
- Aspirin (COX-1 inhib), clopidogerol (P2Y12)
Prevent platelets from adhering together and therefore prevent clots.
How does aspirin work?
COX-1 Inhibitor
Prevent the release of TXA
What score is used to estimate the risk of a stroke after a TIA?
Can you list the
ABCD2
What score is used to estimate the risk of a stroke after a TIA?
Can you list the features of this
ABCD2
Age Blood pressure Clinical features Duration of symptoms Diabetic?
What is considered a high risk ABCD2 score?
> 6
How would you treat a TIA?
Aspirin
Modify risk factors - stop smoking, reduce BP, lower lipid levels
How would you treat an ischaemic stroke?
- Thrombolysis < 4.5 hours. tpA - altepase.
- Carotid endartectomy
- Coil
What disease is commonly linked to berry aneurysms?
Polycystic kidney disease
What is the most common cause of a subarachnoid haemorrhage?
Berry aneurysm rupture
What signs are suggestive of a haemorrhagic stroke over an ischaemic stroke?
Headache, meningism, coma
What is a sentinel bleed?
Prewarning symptoms to SAH.
Headache, dizziness, orbital pain, visual loss.
How would you treat an SAH?
Stop the bleeding - clip / coil, and take off blood thinners.
Stop vasospasm - Ca2+ blocker - nimodipine.
When should you do a lumbar puncture on someone who has had a haemorrhagic stroke?
> 12 hours most sensitive
Blood broken down into billirubin - yellow (xanthecromia), therefore you know the result isnt from blood you may have put into the CSF from trauma performing the LP.
What must you NOT give patients who have had a haemorrhagic stroke?
Antiplatelets / anticoagulants - increase the bleeding.
How can you tell the difference between a subdrual and extradural haemorrhage?
CT
- E for Eye Shaped
- B for bannana shaped (subdural)
What is the mechanism behind a subdural stroke?
Bridging veins
Common in the elderly, young babies that have been shaken, acceleration injury