Prevention;
prophylactic
medication such as
anti thrombotics and
cholesterol lowering
Management DURING
Diagnosis
Chest X-Ray
Neurological exam
CT/MRI
Cerebral angiogram
ECG
TTE
History
Onset; timing
important for
acute treatment
Severity of stroke
Comorbidities and
medications
Exclude
stroke
mimics
F.A.S.T. Facial
droop Arm
weakness
Speech
problems Time
Stroke team
Physiotherapist
Dietician
Occupational therapist
Speech thearpist
Social worker
Pharmacist
Pastoral care
Doctors and nurses
Presentation
Mental
Vertigo
Dysphasia
Dysphagia
Anaesthesia
Physical
Tinitus
Seizures
Headache
Ataxia
Thrombolysis
Tissue
plasminogen
activator
Must be given less
than 4.5hrs after
onset of symptoms
Increases odds of
good outcome
Pathogenesis
Infarction
Appears darker on
imaging - hypodense
Ischaemic injury
Focal cerebral infarction
Global injury; ischaemic
encephalopathy
Causes
Thrombus
Embolus
Vasospasm
Herniation
Local vasculitis
Poor perfusion without
acute obstruction
Thrombotic infarcts
Most commonly
occur in middle
cerebral artery
territory
Thrombosis superimposed on
atheromatous plaques in extracranial or
large intracranial arteries
Molecular events of cerebral
ischaemia 1. Decreased neuronal
ATP production 2. Altered ion
transport (increases in
intracellular Na and Ca and in
extracellular K) 3. Increase in Na
and water causes swelling and
depolarisation of the neuron 4.
Release of exocitatory
neurotransmitters 5. Activation
of NMDA receptors 6.
Phospholipase activators cause
free radicals 7. Damage to cell
membrane, proteins and DNA 8.
Liquefactive necrosis
Haemorrhage
Appears brighter on
imaging - hyperdense
Extradural
Subdural
Subarachnoid
Intracerebral
Causes raised
intracranial pressure
Management
POST
Cholesterol
lowering
Statins
Antithrombotics
Antiplatelets;
long term,
e.g. aspirin
Anticoagulants;
e.g. warfarin
Stroke unit care (see
medical management
during for list of who is
involved in the stroke
team)
Cardiac investigations
Lifestyle
Stop smoking
Increase
regular physical
activity
Reduce excessive
drinking
Eat a
healthy diet
Blood pressure control;
extremely important long
term
Stroke rehabilitation
Psychosocial impact
Individual
Emotional
Relationships
Treatment
Management
Financial
Reduced social
participation
Disability
Memory
Speech impairment
Mobility, or lack thereof
Vision loss
Recovery
Occupational
therapy
Speech therapy
Physiotherapy
Community
support
Stroke doesn't just
affect the individual, it
affects a wide circle of
family, friends and
health professionals.