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Acute stroke: pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Joan Parker Frizzell1

  • 1School of Nursing, La Salle University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141, USA. Frizzell@Lasalle.edu

AACN Clinical Issues
|November 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Stroke, a leading cause of death, involves altered cerebral circulation. Early diagnosis and treatments like thrombolytic therapy are crucial for managing ischemic, embolic, and hemorrhagic stroke events.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., characterized by altered cerebral circulation.
  • Key risk factors include hypertension, family history, and diabetes mellitus.
  • Stroke subtypes include ischemic, embolic, and hemorrhagic events, each with distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of stroke, including its risk factors, subtypes, and diagnostic methods.
  • To discuss current treatment strategies, emphasizing thrombolytic therapy for specific stroke types.
  • To highlight recommendations for future stroke care and research directions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on stroke etiology, risk factors, and classification.
  • Description of diagnostic tools such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS).
  • Summary of current therapeutic interventions, focusing on thrombolytic agents for ischemic and embolic strokes.

Main Results:

  • Ischemic and embolic strokes result from thrombi and emboli due to atherosclerosis, leading to neuronal injury.
  • Intracerebral hemorrhage stems from cerebral vessel rupture, often linked to hypertension.
  • Diagnosis relies on imaging (CT, MRI) and clinical scales (NIHSS), with treatment tailored to stroke etiology.

Conclusions:

  • Thrombolytic therapy is a primary treatment for thrombotic and embolic strokes.
  • Future stroke care recommendations emphasize the establishment of specialized stroke centers.
  • Ongoing research should explore neuroprotective therapies to improve stroke outcomes.

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