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 Stroke
• A stroke is a medical emergency in
which the blood supply to any portion
of the brain is interrupted or reduced.
• Alternative names: Cerebrovascular
accident/ disease (CVA), Cerebral
infarction, Cerebral hemorrhage.

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The symptoms of a stroke are dependant
on what portion of the brain is damage.

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S A sudden development of one or more of the
following symptoms usually indicates a stroke.
Y
M • Sudden numbness or weakness in
the face, arms and/or legs.
P • Confusion.
T • Personality changes.
• Sudden change in eyesight.
O • Decreased motor skills.
M • Severe headaches
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Types of stroke:

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 Tests
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Cerebral Angiography: identify responsible
blood vessel
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): underlying heart
conditions
• Echocardiogram: blood clot from heart
• Carotid Duplex: carotid artery stenosis
• Heart monitors, blood work and many more
tests!!
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 Ischemic Stroke:
• A blood vessel
becomes blocked
and the blood supply
to that part of your
brain is blocked.
• Types of Ischemic
strokes:
Embolic Stroke: occurs
– Thrombotic
when a clot forms in a vessel
Stroke:occurs when a
away from the brain, but
clot forms in an artery
travels through the
that supplies blood to
bloodstream and becomes
the brain (i.e. carotid
lodged in narrower brain
arteries). 7
arteries.
 Treatments
• Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can be
given within three hours from the onset of
symptoms.

In addition to being used to treat strokes, the

following can also be used as preventative
measures.
– Anticoagulants/Antiplatelets
– Carotid Endarterectomy
– Angioplasty/Stents

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Ischemic Stroke

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 Hemorrhagic Stroke:
• A small blood vessel
in the brain becomes
weak and ruptures.
• Types of hemorrhagic
stroke:
– Intracerebral hemorrhage
(ICH):bleeding directly into
brain tissue forming a pool of
blood.
– Subarachnoid
hemorrhage:bleeding into the
cerebral spinal fluid of the
subarachnoid space
surrounding the brain.
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 Treatment
• Surgery is often required to remove
pooled blood from the brain and to
repair damaged blood vessels.
Prevention:
• An obstruction is introduced to prevent
rupture and bleeding of aneurysms and
arteriovenous malformations (AVM).
– Surgical Intervention
– Endovascular Procedures
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Hemorrhagic Stroke

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Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
• Blood supply to the brain is only briefly
interrupted
• Symptoms do not last long
• Warning Stroke- steps should be taken
to prevent future stroke.

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 RISKS
• TIA • Excessive alcohol
• High Blood consumption
Pressure • Family History
• High Cholesterol • Age
• Smoking • Sex
• Heart Disease • Race
• Diabetes • Obesity

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 Prevention
• Control high Blood Pressure
• Lower cholesterol
• Quit smoking
• Control diabetes
• Maintain healthy weight
• Exercise
• Manage stress
• Eat a healthy diet
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 Prognosis
• The results of a stroke vary depending
on the size and location, the presence
of any associated medical problems,
and the likelihood of recurring strokes.
• Dysfunctions correspond to the area in
the brain that had been damaged.

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 References
Acute and Preventative Treatments. (2007). American Stroke
Association. Retrieved March 4,2007 from
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2532
Diagnosis. (2007). American Stroke Association. Retrieved March
4,2007 from
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2552
Diagnosis (2007) Society Of Interventional Radiology. Retrieved March
4, 2007 from http://www.sirweb.org/patpub/strokediagnosis.shtml
Impact of Stroke. (2007). American Stroke Association. Retrieved
March 4,2007 from
http://www.strokeassociation.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1033
Neurological Diagnostic Tests and Procedures. (2006) National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Retrieved March
4,2007 from
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.html

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