By: Dr Frank

Dr Frank — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:22:59 +0000

Currently most strokes are simply diagnosed on clinical grounds with complimentary information coming from scans.
References :
GP for more years than I care to remember

By: gangadharan nair

gangadharan nair — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 03:51:59 +0000

Blood tests: Blood tests such as a sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein are done to look for signs of inflammation that can suggest inflamed arteries. Certain blood proteins that can increase the chance of stroke by thickening the blood are measured. These tests are performed to identify treatable causes of a stroke or to help prevent further injury. Screening blood tests looking for potential infection, anemia, kidney function, and electrolyte abnormalities may also be considered.
Elevations of homocysteine is linked to an increased incidence of thrombosis and cardiovascular disease, which occurs more often in people with above minimal levels of homocysteine (about 6 ?mol/L).
Intracerebral hemorrhage is focal bleeding from a blood vessel in the brain parenchyma. The cause is usually hypertension. Typical symptoms include focal neurologic deficits, often with abrupt onset of headache, nausea, and impairment of consciousness. Diagnosis is by CT or MRI. Treatment includes BP control, supportive measures, and, for some patients, surgical evacuation.
Ischemic stroke is focal brain infarction that produces sudden neurologic deficits persisting > 1 h. Common causes are (from most to least common) nonthrombotic occlusion of small, deep cortical arteries (lacunar infarction); cardiogenic embolism; arterial thrombosis that decreases cerebral blood flow; and artery-to-artery embolism. Diagnosis is clinical, but CT or MRI is done to exclude hemorrhage and confirm the presence and extent of stroke. Thrombolytic therapy may be useful acutely in certain patients. Depending on the cause of stroke, carotid endarterectomy, antiplatelet drugs, or warfarin may help reduce risk of subsequent strokes.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage is sudden bleeding into the subarachnoid space. The most common cause of spontaneous bleeding is a ruptured aneurysm. Symptoms include sudden, severe headache, usually with loss or impairment of consciousness. Secondary vasospasm (causing focal brain ischemia), meningismus, and hydrocephalus (causing persistent headache and obtundation) are common. Diagnosis is by CT or MRI; if neuroimaging is normal, diagnosis is by CSF analysis. Treatment is with supportive measures and neurosurgery or endovascular measures, preferably in a referral center.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stroke#Diagnosis
http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke/page5.htm#tocgs
http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec16/ch211/ch211a.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homocysteine

Comments on: What is a chemical released when someone is having a stroke?

By: Dr Frank

By: gangadharan nair