WHAT IS A STROKE?

What is a stroke?

A stroke is also known as a brain attack.

Identifying strokes and treatment

A stroke may be hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding) or
ischemic (embolic) caused by a clot or plaque in a blood
vessel. 

Bleeding ( hemorrhagic) into the brain may be caused
by trauma or rupture of a blood vessel due to high
blood pressure. ICP monitoring may be necessary for 
the patient with a hemorrhagic stroke.

In the case of an embolic stroke, a blood clot may
obstruct the flow of blood in the brain. This will also
affect oxygen to the brain.

Embolic strokes are usually treated with drugs such
as TPA ( Tissue Plasminogenic Activator). Antihypertensive
drugs and anti- seizure medications may also be ordered.

Reperfusion Therapy and its uses

Reperfusion Therapy is a form of treatment that
is used for patients who have a myocardial infarction

(MI) with STEMI. Typically, the patient with a
completely blocked coronary artery, would
demonstrate STEMI on the EKG.

TPA ( Thrombolytic Plasminogen Activator)
is not only used for reperfusion in patients
who had a myocardial infarction, it is also
used in the treatment of embolic strokes.

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Learn more about: Cranial nerves and 
Subarachnoid hemorrhage