section name header

Basics

James Gebel, MD, MSc

Gabor Toth, MD


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Ischemic stroke is defined as a partially irreversible focal ischemic injury (or injuries) to the brain, retina, or spinal cord that produces clinical symptoms lasting at least 10 minutes. Cerebral infarction is defined as an area of focal brain ischemia sufficient to produce radiologically or pathologically evident infarction. Not all cerebral infarctions produce clinical symptoms.

EPIDEMIOLOGY

There are approximately 731,000 new or recurrent strokes every year in the US; 80–85% of these are ischemic.

RISK FACTORS

Risk factors include hypertension, diabetes mellitus, elevated C-reactive protein, hyperlipidemia, tobacco, sedentary life, obesity, family history of stroke, and prior history of stroke or TIA, and known coronary artery or peripheral vascular disease.

Pregnancy Considerations

Pregnancy increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Conditions peculiar to pregnancy that lead to stroke include paradoxical emboli from the legs or pelvic veins, cardiomyopathy of pregnancy, cervical arterial dissection during labor and delivery, hypercoagulable state, amniotic fluid embolism, and vasoconstrictive medications like ergotamines.

Genetics

Mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes, cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy, prothrombin variant, and infrequently (in young patients) Leiden factor V mutation, are all genetic conditions that can present with stroke.

ETIOLOGY

COMMONLY ASSOCIATED CONDITIONS

The commonly associated conditions comprise TIA, coronary artery disease, and peripheral arterial disease.

Diagnosis

DIAGNOSIS

The clinical features depend on the brain area affected. Common symptoms include hemiparesis, hemisensory loss, visual field defects, ataxia, aphasia, dysarthria, dysphagia, diplopia, and vertigo.

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND INTERPRETATION

Lab

Imaging

Diagnostic Procedures/Other

ECG and cardiac monitoring, either inpatient telemetry or 24-hour Holter monitoring to evaluate for arrhythmias.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

Differential diagnosis includes migraine aura/status, migrainosus, multiple sclerosis, seizures (Todd's paralysis), vertigo, syncope, metabolic disorders, intracerebral hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, conversion disorder, and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis.

Treatment

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

ADDITIONAL TREATMENT

General Measures

General treatment of stroke includes acute supportive care and stroke, e.g., screening for dysphagia prior to administering any diet or medication by mouth, oxygen administration, DVT risk assessment and prophylaxis, fall risk and pressure sore risk assessment and prevention, evaluation for rehabilitation, administration of statins to atherosclerosis-related stroke patients with LDL >70, Stroke education, management of coexisting medical illnesses, secondary stroke prevention. Physical, occupational, speech, and cognitive therapy may be needed.

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

SURGERY/OTHER PROCEDURES

IN-PATIENT CONSIDERATIONS

Admission Criteria

In general, any patient presenting with acute ischemic stroke should be admitted to the hospital for the evaluation of etiology and appropriate prevention measures; prevention and management of stroke complications; early initiation of physical, occupational, and speech therapy; evaluation for eligibility for inpatient rehabilitation; assistance with appropriate placement; and patient and caregiver education.

Ongoing Care

ONGOING-CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

PATIENT EDUCATION

American Stroke Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX, 75231, 1-888-478-7653. www.strokeassociation.org

PROGNOSIS

Appropriate preventive secondary measures significantly decrease the risk of recurrent stroke. However, despite these measures patients continue to be at increased risk.

Additional Reading

Codes

CODES

ICD9