RT Book, Section
A1 Starr, Jessica
A1 Rowan, Brea
A2 Sutton, S. Scott
SR Print(0)
ID 1158313473
T1 Stroke
T2 McGraw-Hill's NAPLEX® Review Guide, 3e
YR 2019
FD 2019
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260135923
LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1158313473
RD 2024/04/23
AB Ischemic  stroke  is  an  acute  onset  of  focal  neurological  deficit  that  involves  permanent  infarction  of  central  nervous  system  tissue.  A  transient  ischemic  attack  (TIA)  is  similar  to  ischemic  stroke  but  is  caused  by  focal  brain,  spinal  cord,  or  retinal  ischemia  without  acute  infarction.  Cranial  occlusions  result  from  an  embolus  formed  in  the  carotid  arteries  or  the  ventricles  of  the  heart.  Atherosclerosis  of  the  carotid  arteries  leads  to  plaque  formation  and  if  plaque  ruptures,  collagen  is  exposed  resulting  in  platelet  aggregation  and  thrombus  formation.  The  clot  may  break  off  and  cause  cranial  vessel  occlusion  (decreased  blood  flow  to  the  brain  region  it  supplies)  resulting  in  ischemia.  Strokes  originating  from  a  cardioembolic  source  are  presumed  to  originate  from  thrombus  formation  in  the  left  ventricle.  Clinical  presentation  includes  weakness  on  one  side  of  the  body,  visual  impairment,  and  inability  to  speak.  Diagnosis  is  confirmed  via  computed  tomography  (CT)  scanning  and  magnetic  resonance  imaging  (MRI).  Risk  factors  for  an  ischemic  stroke  include  hypertension,  dyslipidemia,  diabetes,  cigarette  smoking,  and  atrial  fibrillation  (Table  6-1).