A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, depriving brain tissue of oxygen. It is a medical emergency. Globally, there are over 13 million new strokes per year resulting in over 5.5 million deaths annually. Common symptoms include trouble speaking, paralysis, trouble seeing, and trouble walking. Risk factors include hypertension, smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, and age over 55. Treatment depends on whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic and may include clot-busting drugs, surgery, or other procedures. Nursing care focuses on monitoring the patient's condition, preventing complications, and facilitating recovery and rehabilitation with a team-based approach.

2. Overview
 A stroke occurs when the blood supply to
part of your brain is interrupted or reduced,
depriving brain tissue of oxygen and
nutrients
 A stroke is a medical emergency
 Strokes can be treated and prevented

3. Epidemiology
 Global Perspective
 13.7 million new strokes each year
5.5 million people die of stroke annually
70% acute stroke caused by ischaemic event
 Indian Perspective
Prevelance 90-222 per 100,000 (Dalal 2007)
102,620 million deaths (Nongkynrih 2004)
1.44 – 1.64 million new cases every year (WHO
2005)

4. Symptoms
 Trouble with speaking and understanding
 Paralysis or numbness of the face, arm or
leg
 Trouble with seeing in one or both eyes
 Headache
 Trouble with walking

5. STROKE – SPOT IT

6. Risk Factors

7. Risk Factors
 Lifestyle Risk Factors
1. Obesity
2. Physical inactivity
3. Heavy drinking
4. Drugs – cocaine etc

8. Risk Factors
 Medical Risk Factors
1. Hypertension
2. Smoking
3. Diabetes
4. High cholesterol
5. Cardiovascular disease
6. Obstructive Sleep
Apnea
7. Family history
 Other Factors
1. Age > 55
2. Sex – Men>Women
3. Race – African
American
4. Hormones - OCP

9. Types of Stroke
 Ischaemic – caused by a blocked artery.
 Hemorrhagic – caused by leaking or bursting
of blood vessel.
 Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) – caused by
temporary disruption of blood flow to the
brain.

10. Ischaemic Stroke

11. CT Scan – Ischaemic Stroke

12. Hemorrhagic Stroke

13. Types of cerebral hemorrhage

14. CT Scan – Hemorrhagic Stroke

15. Diagnosis
 Physical examination
Check all systems – check for bruits in carotid
arteries.
Stroke Scales – NIHSS
Canadian Neurological Scale
European Stroke Scale
Hemispheric Stroke Scales
 Blood tests : Complete blood count
Electrolytes
Renal Function Test
Lipid Profile
Liver Profile

16. NIH
Stroke
Scale

17. Glasgow Coma Scale

18. Diagnosis
 Computerised Tomography Scan (CT)
 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
 Carotid Ultrasound
 Cerebral Angiogram
 Echocardiogram

19. Treatment
A
B
C

20. ED Treatment
Treatment
Cervical spine Spinal precautions
Airway Maintain airway, intubate for GCS<8
or as needed
Oxygenation and ventilation Oxygen saturation >90; PCO2 35-45
BP Systolic BP > 90 mmHg, MAP 80
mmHg; give NS, blood products as
needed
Exam and GCS GCS before paralytics if possible; treat
life-threatening injuries and active
bleeding
Stat head CT and cervical spine Identify mass lesions and signs of
increased ICP
Repeat exam Check GCS for changes and for signs
of impending herniation/deterioration

21. ED Treatment
Treatment
Check glucose Treat hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia
Control temperature Maintain between 36o F and 38.3o F
Seizure prophylaxis Give antiepileptic drug if GCS < 10,
acute seizure with injury, or abnormal
head CT scan
Identify and treat elevated ICP,
herniation
Keep head of the bed at 30 degrees;
ensure good BP, ventilation and
temperature control; give Mannitol 1
gm/kg IV bolus; urgent NS consult
Neurosurgery referral/transfer for
advanced care
ICP monitoring, ventriculostomy for
ICP management, emergency surgery

22. Preventive Medication
 Anti-platelet drugs
 Aspirin – makes blood less likely to clot
 Anticoagulants
 Heparin and Warfarin – reduce blood
clotting

23. Treatment
 Ischaemic Stroke
Medications – IV injection of tissue
plasminogen activator (tPA) -
Alteplase
Candidate – upto 4.5 hours of onset of
stroke symp

24. Thrombolysis Checklist

26. Treatment
(Ischaemic Stroke cont.)
 Emergency Endovascular Procedures
Intra-arterial thrombolysis
Clot removal with stent retriever
 Other procedures
Carotid Endartectomy
Angioplasty and Stents

27. Treatment
 Hemorrhagic Stroke
1. Surgical clipping
2. Coiling (Endovascular embolization)
3. Surgical AVM removal
4. Stereotactic radiosurgery

28. Complications
 Paralysis or loss of muscle movement
 Difficulty in talking or swallowing
 Memory loss or thinking difficulties
 Emotional problems
 Pain or numbness
 Changes in behavior and sel-care ability

29. Nursing Care in Acute
Stroke Patients
 The emergency or
hyperacute phase –
prehospital/ED
 Acute care phase –
ICU/Stroke
Unit/Medical care unit
Two Phases

30. Nursing Care – Acute Phase
 Bleeding assessment of post thrombolysis patient –
check for raised ICH
 Monitor Blood Pressure
 Check Temperature
 Cardiac Monitoring
 Monitor Oxygen Saturation
 Identification of Seizures

31. Nursing Goals
(Planning Patient Recovery)
 Improved mobility
 Avoidance of shoulder pain
 Achievement of self care
 Relief of sensory and
perceptual deprivation
 Prevention of aspiration
 Continence of bowel and
bladder
 Improved thought
processes
 Achievement of a form of
communication
 Maintenance of skin
integrity
 Restoration of family
functioning
 Absence of complications

32. Stroke Recovery and
Rehabilitation
 Neurologist
 Rehabilitation doctor
 Nurse
 Dietitian
 Physical therapist
 Occupational therapist
 Recreational therapist
 Speech therapist
 Social worker
 Psychologist/Psychiatrist
 Case manager
 Chaplain

33. Take Home Message
 Stroke is treatable
 Remember FAST – Recognise Stroke
 Early treatment – better outcome
 Nursing care – second to none
 Stroke recovery – Team effort

34. Thank You..!!