Stroke Key Terminology

Stroke

a clinical syndrome of presumed vascular origin characterised by rapidly developing signs of focal or global disturbance of cerebellar functions (e.g., confusion, vision loss, sudden weakness of face, arm or leg) lasting > 24 hours or leading to death

TIA

the same as a stroke, except the symptoms last for < 24 hours. Also known as a ‘mini stroke’

Infarction

obstruction/blockage of blood supply to a region of tissue causing local death of tissue (ischaemia), the cause of ischaemic stroke. Infarction can be caused by a thrombus or emboli

Haemorrhage

bleeding into tissues caused by a burst of a blood vessel. Haemorrhage can be caused by an aneurysm, herniation or hypertension

Intercranial Haemorrhage

bleeding within the brain

Subarachnoid Haemorrhage

bleeding on the surface of the brain

Bamford Stroke Classification

classification system for ischaemic stroke, used to clinically diagnose stroke

Aneurysm

a balloon-like bulge in the wall of an artery which is localised swelling of the wall. The walls of an aneurysm are thin and weak, likely to burst causing bleeding

Thrombus

a blood clot formed in situ within the wall of a blood vessel. It can impede blood flow causing tissues in that location to be deprived of oxygen

Emboli

a blood clot that travels within the blood stream from where it was formed to another location. An emboli can be a blood clot or a piece of fatty deposit or other debris in the blood stream

Plaque

fat, cholesterol and other substances built up in the arterial walls forming hard structures which decrease the lumen size and make the vessels narrower.

Thrombolysis

the dissolution of a blood clot. This is an early treatment for strokes caused by blood clot and involves a drug which breaks down the clot.

Mechanical Thrombectomy

a minimally invasive procedure that uses a device to remove a blood clot from the vessel, restoring blood flow to the brain

Craniectomy

a surgical procedure that involves removing a portion of the skull in order to relieve pressure on the underlying brain

Neuroplasticity

structural changes in synapses and/or part of neurons. It is the ability of the nervous system to change in response to learning and experience

Neglect

unawareness of one side of the body and/or environment. The person might not be aware of being touched on one side or not see things on one side.

Inattention

reduced attention to one side of the body

Ataxia

disorder of the nervous system causing difficulties with balance and coordination, slurred speech

Aphasia

inability to understand or produce speech

Dysphasia

reduced ability to understand/produce speech

Apraxia

inability to control and coordinate purposive actions or complex tasks

Dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

Dysarthria

difficulty in articulating speech. Speech can be slower or slurred

Muscle Tone

the degree of natural tension in a muscle

Hypertonia

increased muscle tone. Can lead to muscle tightness and stiffness (spasticity)

Hypotonia

decreased muscle tone. Can cause floppiness and increase density of the limb

Hemiparesis

weakness of one half/side of the body

Hemianopia

loss of one half of the visual field resulting in being unable to see either the left or right of the field of vision

Nystagmus

rapid involuntary movement of the eyes

TIA

Transient Ischemic Attack

AF

Atrial Fibrillation

PE

Pulmonary Embolism

IHD

Ischaemic Heart Disease

CVA

Cerebrovascular Accident

DVT

Deep Vein Thrombosis

ICP

Intracranial Pressure

NGT

Nasogastric Tube

PEG

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy

RIG

Radiologically Inserted Gastrostomy

SSNAP

Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme

NIHSS

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale

MUST

Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool

GCS

Glasgow Coma Scale

POC

Package of Care