Stroke

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Stroke
Classification and external resources

CT scan slice of the brain showing a righthemispheric ischemic stroke. I61-I64ner ICD-10 434.91 ICD-9 601367 OMIM 2247 DiseasesDB MedlinePlus 000726 neuro/9 emerg/558 emerg/557 eMedicine pmr/187 D020521 MeSH A stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is the rapid loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia (lack of blood flow) caused by blockage (thrombosis, arterial embolism), or a hemorrhage.[1] As a result, the affected area of the brain cannot function, which might result in an inability to move one or more limbs on one side of the body, inability to understand or formulate speech, or an inability to see one side of the visual field.[2] A stroke is a medical emergency and can cause permanent neurological damage and death. Risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, previous stroke or transient ischemic

attack (TIA), diabetes, high cholesterol, tobacco smoking and atrial fibrillation.[2] High blood pressure is the most important modifiable risk factor of stroke.[2] It is the second leading cause of death worldwide.[3] An ischemic stroke is occasionally treated in a hospital with thrombolysis (also known as a "clot buster"), and some hemorrhagic strokes benefit from neurosurgery. Treatment to recover any lost function is termed stroke rehabilitation, ideally in a stroke unit and involving health professions such as speech and language therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy. Prevention of recurrence may involve the administration of antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin and dipyridamole, control and reduction of high blood pressure, and the use of statins. Selected patients may benefit from carotid endarterectomy and the use of anticoagulants.[2]