Title 21. STROKE.pdf ✅

PHARMD GURU Page 1 INTRODUCTION: According to WHO, stroke is defined as a neurological deficit of cerebrovascular cause that persists beyond 24 hours or is interrupted by death within 24 hours. Therefore, stroke can be explained as death or dysfunction of brain tissue due to occlusion or haemorrhage of brain's arteries. The pattern of resulting neurological damage differs according to whether the supply to the posterior or anterior artery has interrupted. TRANSIENT ISCHAEMIC ATTACK (TIA): This means a focal deficit, such as a weak limb, aphasia or loss of vision lasting from a few seconds to 24 hrs. there is complete recovery, the attack is usually sudden. TIAs have a tendency to recur, and may herald thromboembolic stroke. EPIDEMIOLOGY:  There are currently 4.6 million stroke survivors in the United States, stroke is the leading cause of adult disability.  Approximately 20% of patients in nursing homes have had a stroke and stroke is also a leading diagnosis in inpatient rehabilitation.  Stroke risk is increased above that of the general population in the elderly male individuals and in African-Americans.1 In addition, geographic disparity in stroke incidence exists, such that several areas of the southeastern United States have stroke mortality rates more than twice that of the national average.  This phenomenon, originally describing areas of the coastal Carolinas and Georgia, has been named the "Stroke Belt." CLASSIFICATION: Strokes can be classified into two main categories, including the following: 1. Ischaemic strokes (incidence-85%)-strokes caused by blockage of an artery. 2. Haemorrhagic stroke (incidence 15%)-strokes caused by bleeding. STROKE