Tag: Ischemic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke, caused by a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, accounts for approximately 13% of all strokes. For this type of medical emergency, giving blood thinners for hemorrhagic stroke is strictly contraindicated because these medications would worsen the bleeding, increasing the risk of fatality.

Up to 40% of ischemic strokes can undergo some form of hemorrhagic conversion, a critical complication that complicates treatment. Navigating the timing of **when to start anticoagulation after hemorrhagic conversion?** is a delicate balance between preventing recurrent clots and avoiding further bleeding.

While the utilization of tPA for ischemic stroke in the U.S. increased to 10.2% by 2018, many patients are ineligible because they arrive outside the treatment window. The core question remains: why can't you use tPA after 3 hours for most patients?

While tPA therapy has been shown to double the odds of a favorable outcome for eligible patients with ischemic stroke, it carries significant risks. The most serious and feared among these is intracranial hemorrhage, a risk that increases to approximately 6% for those receiving the medication. Understanding **what are the risks of tPA therapy** is crucial for patients and families facing this critical decision.

Cardioembolism, often from atrial fibrillation (AFib), accounts for about 20% of all ischemic strokes. For these patients, a critical question is 'What is the 1 2 3 4 rule for anticoagulation stroke?' This framework guides treatment timing to prevent recurrence while minimizing risk.

Current guidelines from major stroke organizations recommend a standard delay of at least 24 hours after tPA infusion before considering anticoagulation. This crucial waiting period is designed to significantly minimize the risk of a potentially devastating intracranial hemorrhage, as combining these powerful agents too early can be dangerous.

According to the American Stroke Association, ischemic strokes account for approximately 87% of all stroke cases, making it the most common type. Determining **what is the drug of choice for a stroke patient** depends entirely on whether the stroke is caused by a clot (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic), highlighting the need for a rapid and accurate diagnosis.

Nearly 70% of people who experience a stroke have a history of hypertension, making blood pressure management a critical component of post-stroke care. The specific approach to *what blood pressure medication is given after a stroke* depends on the type of stroke, its severity, and the time elapsed since the event.

Nitroglycerin, a powerful vasodilator widely used for treating chest pain, works by relaxing blood vessels throughout the body. However, this very mechanism is the primary reason why is nitroglycerin contraindicated in stroke, especially in cases involving intracranial bleeding or increased pressure.

In medical emergencies like ischemic stroke and heart attack, thrombolytic or 'clot-busting' drugs are administered as quickly as possible—often within the first few hours—to restore blood flow and prevent irreversible tissue damage. These powerful, fast-acting drugs are the answer to the question: **What medication is used to dissolve a thrombus?**.