Studied by 0 PeopleTags & Description
Coumadin
-Thrombolytic agents to dissolve clots:
-1-2 hours after onset
-Surgery:
-Such as carotidectomy
NIH stroke scale
Measuring took that determines what level a patient is functioning 24h after stoke
cerbral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke
•Disrupts blood flow to the brain.
•Several types- ischemic, thrombosis, embolism
Ischemic stroke
-Occlusion of an artery, usually the MCA or the carotid, causing a reduction or cessation of blood flow.
-Caused by atherosclerosis, proliferation of cells, high cholesterol
Thrombosis
Type of CVA
-Occurs from an accumulation of platelets and fatty plaques on the vessel wall at the site of the occlusion.
-Sudden, increases in severity over time
-Higher incidence among people with diabetes mellitus and hypertension
-A frequent signal of impending
thrombosis is the transient ischemic
attack (TIA
transient ischemic
attack (TIA)
-temporary disruption of the
blood flow that produces transient
neurological signs indicating that platelet formation is underway.
-A TIA is experienced as a blurred vision, numbness, weakness, speech difficulty, imbalance of gait, etc.
-A TIA lasts less than one hour. It is completed within 24 hours.
-Mini stroke that may signal impending thrombosis
Thrombectomy / angiogram
-Surgery to remove a blood clot from inside an artery or vein to avoid a permanent blockage in the vein or artery.
-surgeon makes an incision into a blood vessel. The clot is removed and the blood vessel is repaired. This restores blood flow. In some cases, a balloon or other device may be put in the blood vessel to keep it open
-Risks include bruising at the puncture site, blood clot could travel deeper into the artery or vein, and stroke
Embolism
type of CVA
-Platelets and fatty plaque break off a vessel and travel until they become stuck in a smaller artery.
-The heart is the most common source of embolic material
-May also be secondary to
trauma
-No warning signs
infarction
-When metabolism is prohibited for 2 minutes the result is death (necrosis) of neural tissue. This necrotic tissue is called an infarct.
-Damaged tissue softens and liquefies;
this waste is removed,
probably by the astroglial
cells that are supportive of
neuron.
-Gliosis- waste removal. Leaves a cavity in the cortex.
Hemorrhage
-Associated with hypertension, aneurysm, or AVM. It also accompanies TBI.
-Rupture of a cerebral blood vessel. There is no blood flow above the site of the rupture
-2 types- Intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage
Intracerebral hemorrhage
invades the regions of the thalamus, internal capsule, and lenticular nuclei. There is usually a loss of consciousness, precipitated by an increase in blood pressure during physical activity or emotional stress. Most susceptible are the branches of the circle of Willis and basilar artery.
subarachnoid hemorrhage
Occurs in the pia-arachnoid space surrounding the brain. Can be caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
Aneurysm
dilated blood vessel that stretches and weakens the vessel wall caused by sudden exertion.
Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)
-a tangle of blood vessels in the brain or on its surface that diverts blood from the arteries to the veins. It is:
-A congenital condition
-Not signaled until bleeding or seizures occur
-A bleed into subarachnoid space
-A weakening of the arterial walls where capillary network between arteries and veins is absent
-Usually less damaging than an aneurysm.
Hematoma
accumulation of blood caused by a hemorrhage
What are tumors?
-Abnormal mass of tissue
-Headache is one of the earliest signs precipitated by stopping, straining, or exercising.
-Other signs include:
◦Nausea and vomiting N/V - sign
◦Sensory impairments
◦Dulled mental functioning
-A common source is the supportive cells through the CNS.
-Classified according to their tissue origin
What are the types of tumors?
-May be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non cancerous).
-Degree of malignancy is indexed on a scale of I (benign) - IV (high grade and malignant)
-Primary tumors result from uncontrolled growth of glial or meningeal cells.
Glial cell tumors (gliomas)
the most frequent form of brain tumor. One common form of gliomas is an astrocytoma (a benign, slow growing tumor). Another common type is a glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant and fast growing tumor.
Meningioma
benign tumor that arises from the meninges. If it is removed early enough, so that it does not impinge on other structures, it may have no impact on cortical functioning.
Secondary or metastatic tumors
spreading tumors that typically arise from elsewhere in the body, and travel to the brain via the blood supply, or lymphatic system. They are usually secondary to breast, lung, and skin cancers.
Episodic Memory
person's unique memory of a specific event. (graduation)
Semantic Memory
refers to portion of long-term memory that processes ideas and concepts that are not drawn from personal experience. Includes things that are common knowledge and other basic facts acquired over a lifetime. (ex. zebras fur is born brown)
Procedural Memory
a part of long-term memory that is responsible for knowing how to do things such as tying your shoes or cooking an omelet.
Lexical Memory
refers to our ability to remember words/vocabulary of a language.
What is a cerebral angiogram used for?
Evaluates cerebral vascular structures and is used for arterial, venous, and lymphatic circulation studies.
Used to diagnose vascular (blood vessel) disorders
¨Thrombosis
¨Hemorrhages
¨Aneurysms
¨embolism
Cerebral angiogram procedure
-A radiopaque (glow in the dark) contrast substance is injected into the femoral artery (through catheter).
-The contrast substance follows the path of the flowing blood.
-Radiographs at various angles are used to visualize the major cerebral arteries and blood flow through these arteries. Any traffic jams?
Cerebral angiogram risk factors
-Significant risk factor for the procedure=stroke due to the invasive nature of the procedure.
-Iodine in the contrast medium may cause a marked allergic reaction in some patients=>testing for hypersensitivity is indicated before the radiopaque substance is used.
-After the procedure, the patient is monitored for signs of bleeding at the puncture sight, and bed rest for a number of hours is required.
Computed Tomography (CT) scan - complex explanation
-Narrow beam of X-rays of the brain are taken at different angles, then are compiled by 2 computers producing cross-sectional images of the brain.