stroke

Question 1

first line investigation in stroke

Answer 1

NON-CONTRAST CT HEAD!!!

Question 2

TIA investigation

Answer 2

imaging not routinely recommended
but if so: MRI brain with diffusion-weighted imagining

Question 3

definition of TIA

Answer 3

transient episode of neurologic dysfunction caused by focal brain, spinal cord or retinal ischaemia without acute infarction

Question 4

initial management of TIA

Answer 4

aspirin 300mg immediately unless contraindicated
assessed urgently within 24 hours by stroke specialist

Question 5

examples of TIA mimics

Answer 5

hypoglycaemia
intracranial haemorrhage- get imagining to exclude

Question 6

long term management of TIA

Answer 6

immediate antithrombotic therapy: antiplatelet
- within 24 hours of onset or minor ischaemic stroke **clopidogrel (300mg then 75mg) + aspirin (300mg then 75mg for 21 days) followed by monotherapy with clopidogrel 75mg
alternative: ticagrelor + clopidogrel

if not appropriate for DAPT:
- clopidogrel 300mg followed by 75mg

ADD: PPI with DAPT