Stroke
Journal
http://stroke.ahajournals.org/
Definition
Permanent death of neurons caused by inadecuate perfusion of a region of brain or brainstem.
Classification
This disturbance is due to either ischemia (lack of blood flow) or hemorrhage.
The term major stroke is used to distinguish a full-blown stroke from a minor stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Epidemiology
see Stroke epidemiology.
Etiology
see Stroke Etiology.
Risk
Pathogenesis
Pathophysiology
Pathophysiology and Neuroprotective Strategies in Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury and Stroke 1).
Syndromes
see Stroke syndromes.
Diagnosis
A rapid and reliable diagnostic test to distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke in patients presenting with stroke-like symptoms is essential to optimize management and triage for thrombolytic therapy.
Stroke has been extensively studied in clinical practice and experimental research by means of MR images with ever-emerging new technologies, such as DWI, PWI, and ADC maps. More recently, different PWI-derived parameters, such as the rCBV), the relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), the relative MTT, and the time to peak (TTP) have been applied to quantify the perfusion deficit and to evaluate the temporal infarct growth in acute stroke either in patients or in small animals with high field strength MR spectrometers 2).
Differential diagnosis
Complications
A common complication after stroke is development of Cognitive disorder and dementia
Outcome
see Stroke outcome.
Prevention
Effective strategies for reducing the risk of developing problems after stroke remain undefined. Potential strategies include intensive lowering of blood pressure (BP) and/or lipids.
Treatment
see Stroke treatment.