Introduction
- Stroke or cerebrovascular disease is defined as a sudden onset of focal neurological deficit or any alteration in level of consciousness due to an underlying vascular pathology
- Ischemic stroke is a type of stroke characterized by the sudden absence of blood supply to an area of the brain, spinal cord or retina secondary to a thrombus or emboli
- Rapid evaluation is essential for use of time-sensitive treatments and to prevent further brain damage
Signs and Symptoms
Common Presentation of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke
- Left (dominant) hemisphere
- Left gaze preference
- Right visual field deficit
- Right hemiparesis
- Right hemisensory loss
- Dysarthria
- Aphasia (Broca’s, Wernicke’s, Global)
- Apraxia
- Visual agnosia
- Right (non-dominant) hemisphere
- Right gaze preference
- Left visual field deficit
- Left hemiparesis
- Left hemisensory loss (hemi-inattention)
- Neglect of left side
- Dysarthria
- Brainstem
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diplopia, dysconjugate gaze, gaze palsy, nystagmus, visual agnosia
- Homonymous hemianopsia due to 3rd nerve palsy paralysis
- Dysarthria, dysphagia
- Vertigo, syncope
- Hemiparesis or quadriplegia
- Sensory loss in hemibody or all 4 limbs
- Decreased consciousness
- Hiccups, abnormal respirations
- Alexia or inability to understand words written
- Cerebellum
- Truncal/gait ataxia, limb ataxia
- Dysarthria
- Vertigo, nystagmus