1. TIA and CVA
Robert K. O’Sullivan, PA-C, MPAS
Clinical Medicine II
May 20, 2011
2. Objectives
Define Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
Define Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)
Identify the Anterior and Posterior Cerebral
Vascular Supply
Distinguish the Pathophysiological differences
between Ischemic and Hemorrhagic strokes
3. Objectives (continued)
Discuss the Epidemiology and Risk Factors for
Ischemic & Hemorrhagic strokes
For TIA & CVA’s, describe the significant
historical and physical exam findings,
appropriate diagnostic investigations,
emergency treatment, rehab & prevention
4. (more) Objectives (we’re flyin’ now)
As they relate to TIA’s/CVA, Discuss the significance of...
Atherosclerosis
Drug Abuse
Venous Thrombosis
Migraine
Hematological disorders
Cardiogenic Embolism
Hypertension
6. Pre-Lecture Questions
What artery is most commonly involved in a stroke?
Define the abbreviation: FAST!
What are the main categories of strokes?
A 63 y.o. previously healthy man awakens at 6 am with
weakness of the left arm and leg and difficulty walking.
He arrives at the hospital at 7 am and a CT scan is
immediately performed, the results of which are normal.
What dose of t-PA should he receive?
7. Key Points for TIA/CVA
TIA’s & CVA’s are emergencies
Patients acutely suffering these disorders
need IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
Act FAST! (Face, Arm, Speech, Time)
It is important for the PA to have a good
understanding of neuroanatomy and brain
function, because...
There are significant risks associated with TIA/
CVA treatments (and patients must understand
these risks)
Prevention is the best therapy
17. Neurology Definitions
Aphasia means... Aphagia example
poor articulation
inability to produce
written or spoken
language
innate difficulty
learning mathematics
gross lack of
coordination of
muscle movements
difficulty swallowing
19. Transient Ischemic
Attacks
Essential of Diagnosis
Focal Neurological Deficit which completely resolves
within 24 hours
Often associated with risk factors for vascular
diseases
40% of all people who have experienced a TIA will
go on to have a stroke
Nearly half within 2 days
20. Transient Ischemic Attack
Etiology Cardiac sources
Vessel wall embolus (most Atrial fibrillation
common)
Mitral valve stenosis
Carotid artery most
often the source Mitral valve prolapse
Related to thrombus Calcified mitral annulus
formation distal to
stenosis Ventricular aneurysm
Atrial or ventricular
clot
Valvular vegetation
Atrial septal defect
21. Transient Ischemic Attack
Etiology Less common etiologies
(age <45 years)
Other vascular sources
Subclavian Steal
Intracranial artery Syndrome
thrombus (esp. African-
Americans) Hyperviscosity (e.g.
polycythemia vera)
Aortic arch
atherosclerotic plaque Hypercoagulable state
Transient hypotension Carotid dissection
with carotid stenosis
>75% Vertebral artery
dissection
22. Transient Ischemic Attack
Signs and symptoms Carotid territory
Abrupt onset without Weakness and
warning heaviness of
contralateral arm, leg,
Symptoms vary markedly or face or combination
between patients
Numbness and
paresthesias
Bradykinesia,
dysphasia, monocular
vision loss on
ipsilateral side
+/- carotid bruit
23. Transient Ischemic Attack
Signs and symptoms Weakness or sensory
complaints on one,
Vertebrobasilar TIAs both, or alternating
sides of the body
Vertigo
Ataxia
Diplopia
Dysarthria
Dimness or blurring of
vision
Perioral numbness or
paresthesias
24. Transient Ischemic
Attack (TIA)
Risk of stroke increases with...
Carotid TIAs > vertebrobasilar TIAs
Age > 60 years
Diabetes
TIAs that last longer than 10 minutes
Signs and symptoms of weakness, speech
impairment, or gait disturbance
25. Transient Ischemic Attack
Imaging
CT of the head
U/S of cerebral
circulation
Doppler U/S of
carotid arteries
Arteriography
MR angiography less
sensitive than
conventional
arteriography
26. Transient Ischemic Attack
Labs and other studies EKG
(why?)
Chest x-ray
CBC
Consider
Fasting blood glucose echocardiography or
Holter monitor
Serum cholesterol
Homocysteine level
Serologic tests for
syphilis
(bonus question:
Organism that causes
syphilis is...Treponema
pallidum
28. Treatment of TIA’s
Treatment is divided into two
choices...
Medical therapy aimed at
preventing further attacks or
strokes to include...
Smoking cessation
Treatment of
underlying disease
(HTN, DM, etc.)
Carotid endarterectomy
30. Treatment of TIA
Embolization from the heart
Anticoagulation
IV heparin until coumadin level is therapeutic
Aspirin may be used for people who cannot
tolerate coumadin
Embolization from the cerebrovascular system
Aspirin 325 mg daily
Plavix (clopidogrel) 75 mg daily if intolerant of aspirin
Coumadin for 3-6 months does not provide any
benefits over aspirin
31. Quiz...
Which thrombolytic agent is naturally occurring
within the body (hint: secreted from MAST cells)
A. Aspirin
B. Heparin
C. Warfarin
D. Coumadin
E. Clopidogrel
33. Cerebrovascular Accident
AKA stroke
Essentials of diagnosis
Sudden onset of characteristic neurologic deficit
Often a history of HTN, DM, valvular heart disease or
atherosclerosis
Distinctive neurologic signs reflect the region of the
brain involved
34. CVA; the “killer” stats
Third leading cause of
death in the US
General decline in
incidence over the
past 30 years
87% are ischemic due
to large artery
atherosclerosis,
cardioembiolism &
other
13% due are
hemorragic in
intracerebral or
subarachnoid locations
35. CVA Risk Factors include...
HTN/Elevated BP
Diabetes Mellitus
Hyperlipidemia
Cigarette smoking
Cardiac disease
AIDS
Drug abuse/EtOH
Family history of CVA
Elevated blood homocysteine level
36. Cerebrovascular Accident
Classification of Strokes True or False:
Reliable distinction
Infarcts
between a
Thrombotic intracerebral
hemorrhage and
Embolic ischemic stroke can
only be done by
neuroimagining
Hemorrhages
A reading...
38. Lacunar Infarctions
Small lesions (usually < 5 mm)
Accounts for approx 25% of
ischemic strokes
Occurs in distribution of
short penetrating arterioles
in the basal ganglia, pons,
cerebellum, anterior limb of
the internal capsule, and less
commonly deep cerebral
white matter
Associated with poorly
controlled HTN or diabetes
39. Lacunar Infarctions
Signs and symptoms
Contralateral pure motor
or pure sensory deficit
Ipsilateral ataxia with
crural paresis (weakness)
Dysarthria with
clumsiness of the hand
Deficit may progress
over 24-36 hours before
stabilizing
40. Lacunar Infarction
Imaging
Sometimes seen on CT
as small, punched-out,
hypodense areas
CT often normal
Prognosis is usually good
with partial or complete
resolution in 4-6 weeks
41. Cerebral Infarction
Thrombotic or embolic
occlusion of a major vessel
Cerebral ischemia leads to
release of excitatory and
other neuropeptides that
increase Ca++ flux into
neurons causing cell death
and increasing the
neurologic deficit
Abrupt onset
42. Cerebral Infarction
Obstruction of carotid Occlusion of anterior
circulation cerebral artery
Occlusion of ophthalmic Weakness and
artery may cause sensory loss in the
amaurosis fugax (can be contralateral leg
seen with a TIA as well)
May see contralateral
grasp reflex, rigidity,
abulia, or confusion
Urinary incontinence
Behavioral changes
and memory
disturbances
43. Cerebral Infarction
Obstruction of carotid Global aphasia if
circulation dominant hemisphere
involved
Occlusion of middle
cerebral artery Drowsiness, stupor,
and coma
Contralateral
hemiplegia, Dressing apraxia
hemisensory loss,
homonymous Constructional and
hemianopsia spatial deficits
Eyes deviate to side of
the lesion
44. Cerebral Infarction
Obstruction of Macular-sparing
vertebrobasilar circulation homonymous
hemianopia
Occlusion of posterior
cerebral artery Mild, usually
temporary
Thalamic syndrome: hemiparesis
contralateral
hemisensory Occlusion of vertebral
disturbance artery
followed by
development of May be clinically
spontaneous pain silent
and hyperpathia
(what is
Hyperpathia?)
45. Cerebral Infarction
Obstruction of If hemiplegia is of
vertebrobasilar circulation pontine origin, eyes
are often deviated to
Occlusion of both the paralyzed side
vertebral arteries or
basilar artery
Coma with pinpoint
pupils
Flaccid quadriplegia
and sensory loss
Variable cranial nerve
abnormalities
46. Cerebral Infarction
Obstruction of vertebrobasilar circulation (cont’d)
Occlusion of major cerebellar arteries
Vertigo
Nausea and vomiting
Nystagmus
Ipsilateral limb ataxia
Contralateral spinothalamic sensory loss in the
limbs
47. Cerebral Infarction
Imaging
CT of the head to
exclude cerebral
hemorrhage
CT preferable to MRI
in acute stages
Carotid duplex studies
MRI (diffusion-
weighted more
sensitive) and MR
angiography
49. Labs for Cerebral Infarction
Labs and other studies
CBC
Sed rate
Blood glucose
Serologic tests for
syphilis
Serum cholesterol
Serum homocysteine
EKG, Echo, Holter monitor
Blood cultures
50. Treatment of Infarctions
Ideally, in a stroke care unit
Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy
rapid Tissue Plasminogen Activator (rTPA)
Supportive Measures
Anticoagulants if cardiac cause of emboli
Warfarin
Physical, occupational and speech therapy
51. r-TPA Therapy
Effective in select patients
with no CT evidence of
hemorrhage
Start as soon as possible,
not more than 4.5 hrs after
onset (some say only 3 hrs)
Contra-indications include:
Recent or increased risk
for hemorrhage, (i.e.
recent trauma, surgery),
markedly high BP
(>185/110), others...
52. Cerebral Infarction
Prognosis
Prognosis for cerebral infarction is better than for
cerebral or subarachnoid hemorrhage
Depends on time that elapses before arriving at
the hospital – if patient has TPa they are 30%
more likely to have no disability at 3 months
Loss or consciousness implies a poorer prognosis
54. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Usually due to hypertension and presence of
microaneurysms
Most frequently in basal ganglia
Less commonly in the pons, thalamus, cerebellum, and
cerebral white matter
Usually occur suddenly and without warning during
activity
55. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
May also occur with... EtOH
Hematologic and Brain tumors
bleeding disorders
Leukemia
Hemophilia
DIC
Anticoagulant therapy
Liver disease
Cerebral amyloid
angiopathy
56. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Signs and symptoms
Initial loss or impairment of consciousness
Vomiting and headache
Focal signs and symptoms
Loss of gaze
Cerebellar hemorrhage
Nausea and vomiting, disequilibrium, headache
Loss of consciousness that may lead to death
within 48 hours
57. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Imaging
CT scan without contrast
(determines location and
size of the bleed)
Superior to MRI in first
48 hours
Cerebral angiography if
the patient’s condition
allows
58. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Labs and other studies
CBC
Platelet count
Liver function tests
Renal function tests
Bleeding times
LP is contraindicated (may cause a
herniation syndrome)
59. Intracerebral Hemorrhage
Treatment
Management is generally Treatment of underlying
conservative and structural lesions
supportive
Trials of recombinant
Ventricular drainage may activated factor VII
be required given with a few hours
have been tried (have
Decompression of not shown improved
superficial hematoma survival)
Prompt surgical
evacuation of cerebellar
hemorrhage
61. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Essentials of diagnosis General considerations
Sudden, severe Causes 5 – 10% of
headache “the worst strokes
headache of my life”
Signs of meningeal
irritation
Obtundation is common
Focal deficits are
frequently absent
62. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Signs and symptoms
Sudden onset of “worst headache of my
life”
Nausea and vomiting
Loss or impairment of consciousness
Altered mental status
Nuchal rigidity and other signs of meningeal
irritation
Focal neurologic deficits may not be present
63. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Imaging
CT scan immediately
If CT normal, a lumbar puncture should be done...
12 hours later
Look for Xanthochromia (yellowish color to
CSF from bilirubin)
Once patient is stable, cerebral arteriography
MR angiography is less useful
67. Intracranial Aneurysm
Essentials of diagnosis
Subarachnoid hemorrhage or focal deficit
Abnormal imaging studies
General considerations
“Berry” aneurysms tend to occur at arterial
bifurcations
May be associated with PKD and coarctation of the
aorta
68. Intracranial Aneurysm
Risk factors
Smoking
Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Signs and symptoms
Most are asymptomatic
May cause focal neurologic deficit from mass
effect
69. Intracranial Aneurysm
Imaging
CT scan will show if a bleed has occurred
Angiography
Labs and other studies
CSF may show blood
EEG
EKG
70. Intracranial Aneurysm
Treatment
Major aim of
treatment is
to prevent
further
hemorrhages
Definitive
treatment
requires
surgical
clipping or coil
embolization
73. Arteriovenous (AV)
Malformations
Essentials of diagnosis
Sudden onset of subarachnoid and intracerebral
hemorrhage
Seizures or focal deficits
General considerations
Congenital lesions
Vary in size
May have associated obstructive hydrocephalus
74. Arteriovenous Malformations
Signs and symptoms Infratentorial lesions
Supratentorial lesions Often clinically silent
Most AV May lead to
malformations are progressive or
supratentorial relapsing brainstem
deficits
S/S of hemorrhage,
recurrent seizures or
headaches
Abnormal mental
status
Meningeal irritation
Increased ICP
75. Arteriovenous (AV)
Malformations
Imaging
CT scan if bleeding present
Arteriography
Labs and other studies
EEG for patients presenting with seizures
Treatment
Surgical treatment to prevent further
hemorrhages
76. Arteriovenous (AV)
Treatment
Malformations
For patients with seizures and no bleeding,
anticonvulsants are usually sufficient
Definitive surgical treatment
excision of AV malformation
Embolization if not surgically accessible
Injection of vascular occlusive polymer
Gamma knife
80. Intracranial Venous
Thrombosis
Treatment
Anticonvulsants for seizures
Dexamethasone to decrease ICP
Anticoagulation with heparin followed by
coumadin for 6 months
Catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy with
urokinase and thrombectomy
81. What we covered...
TIA’s
CVA’s to include...
Anatomy, Physiology
& Pathophysiology
Definitions
Classification of
Strokes (Ischemic &
Hemorrhage)
Stroke Sub-types