Definition of Stroke A stroke is a clinical syndrome characterised by rapidly developing clinical sym ptoms and / or signs of focal, and

at times global (applied to patients in deep coma and those with subarachnoi d haemorrhage), loss of cerebral function, with symptoms lasting more than 24 hours or leading t o death, with no apparent cause other than that of vascular origin (Hatano, 1976). This definition includes stroke due to cerebral infarction, primary intracerebral haemorrhage (PICH), intraventricular haemorrhage, and most cases of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH); it excludes subdural haemorrha ge, epidural haemorrhage, or intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) or infarction caused by infection or tumour. Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief episode of neurologic dysfunction resulting from focal temporary cerebral ischemia not associated with cerebral in farction. TIA was originally defined clinically by the temporary nature (<24 hours) of the associated neurologic symptoms. However, the arbitrary nature of the 24-hour time limit and lack of specific pa thophysiologic meaning hampered the clinical and research utility of the term "TIA." Recognition of these problems led to a change to a tissue-based definition of TI A. The change was driven by advances in neuroimaging that enabled very early identi fication of ischemic brain injury nemodipine it is dihydropyridine ccb, 60mg tab 6x. iv 1-2mg/hr usage - selective for cerebral vasculature prevention of vascular spasm that may lead to ischemia esp in subarachnoid hge.