SCRN key terms

Brain tissue surrounding an infarct core that is hypoperfused but still viable; restoring blood flow quickly can save it, making it the main target of acute reperfusion therapy.

The portion of brain tissue already irreversibly damaged in acute ischemic stroke; it does not recover even if blood flow is restored and is estimated by imaging to guide treatment.

The capacity of cerebral arterioles to change diameter and hold blood flow steady despite shifts in systemic blood pressure; this protective mechanism is often impaired after acute stroke.

The idea that the skull is a rigid container holding brain, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid, so an increase in any one component must be offset by a decrease in another to avoid rising pressure.

Fluid accumulation and swelling of brain tissue after injury; in large infarcts it worsens over two to five days and can cause mass effect, herniation, and clinical deterioration.

Bleeding into previously ischemic brain tissue, ranging from tiny petechiae to a large hematoma; risk increases with bigger infarcts, reperfusion therapy, and poorly controlled blood pressure.

Spontaneous bleeding within the brain parenchyma, often from hypertension or cerebral amyloid angiopathy; it presents with headache, vomiting, focal deficits, and reduced consciousness.

A small deep brain infarct caused by occlusion of a penetrating artery, typically producing pure motor, pure sensory, or sensorimotor deficits without cortical signs such as aphasia.

A 15-item bedside examination scoring consciousness, gaze, visual fields, facial and limb movement, sensation, language, and neglect; higher scores mean more severe deficits and inform treatment choices.

A prehospital screening mnemonic for balance, eyes, face, arm, speech, and time; any abnormal finding triggers immediate emergency stroke activation.

The last moment a patient was observed at their usual neurologic baseline; this time starts the clock for thrombolysis and thrombectomy eligibility.

Stroke symptoms discovered on awakening, with onset presumed during sleep so the exact time is unknown; advanced imaging can still identify candidates for reperfusion.

The initial imaging test for suspected stroke; it quickly rules out hemorrhage and may show early ischemic changes, though small or posterior circulation infarcts are easily missed.

A 10-point score applied to noncontrast CT that grades early ischemic change in the middle cerebral artery territory; lower scores mean larger established infarction and worse reperfusion outcomes.

Contrast-enhanced computed tomography that shows major artery blockages, dissections, and aneurysms and assesses collateral circulation; it helps select patients for endovascular treatment.

Blockage of a major intracranial artery such as the internal carotid, middle cerebral, or basilar artery; it causes severe deficits and may be treated with mechanical thrombectomy.

Giving a clot-dissolving drug such as alteplase or tenecteplase to an eligible patient with acute ischemic stroke, ideally within 4.5 hours of last known well.

Endovascular removal of a clot from a large brain artery using a stent retriever or aspiration catheter; it improves outcomes for selected patients with large vessel occlusion.

The minutes from hospital arrival to the start of thrombolytic infusion; a key quality measure, with guidelines recommending 60 minutes or less.

Careful control of blood pressure after thrombolysis or thrombectomy to lower bleeding risk while maintaining enough flow to the injured brain; specific thresholds guide treatment.

Life-threatening brain swelling after a large hemispheric infarct, causing declining consciousness and herniation risk; early surgical decompression may be lifesaving.

Surgery that removes a flap of skull to relieve pressure from severe post-stroke swelling; done early in selected patients, it improves survival and functional outcome.

An oral calcium channel blocker given for about 21 days after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage to reduce delayed cerebral ischemia and improve neurologic outcomes.

Urgent use of agents such as vitamin K, prothrombin complex concentrate, idarucizumab, or andexanet alfa to restore clotting in anticoagulated patients with brain hemorrhage.

A quick bedside swallow check completed before any oral intake in stroke patients to identify swallowing impairment and prevent aspiration pneumonia.

An acquired language disorder from injury to the dominant hemisphere that impairs understanding, speaking, reading, or writing while other thinking abilities are largely intact.

Failure to notice or respond to one side of the body or space, usually after right hemisphere stroke; patients may ignore food, limbs, or people on the affected side.

The brain's ability to reorganize connections and reassign functions after injury; it underlies stroke recovery and responds best to repetitive, task-specific practice.

Rehabilitation that restrains the stronger arm while intensely training the weaker arm, encouraging use of the affected limb and supporting cortical reorganization.

A velocity-dependent increase in muscle tone after stroke caused by altered descending motor control; it can lead to contracture and pain and is treated with therapy and medication.

A score estimating stroke risk in atrial fibrillation using points for heart failure, hypertension, age, diabetes, prior stroke, vascular disease, and female sex; it guides anticoagulation decisions.

Use of direct oral anticoagulants or warfarin to prevent cardioembolic stroke in atrial fibrillation, chosen by weighing stroke risk against bleeding risk.

A system that sorts ischemic stroke causes into large artery atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, small vessel occlusion, other determined cause, and undetermined; it guides secondary prevention.

Surgery to remove atherosclerotic plaque from the carotid artery, reducing stroke risk in symptomatic high-grade stenosis; benefit is greatest when performed soon after the event.

Treatment with potent statins such as atorvastatin 80 mg to lower LDL cholesterol after atherosclerotic stroke, reducing recurrent vascular events regardless of starting cholesterol level.

A conversation in which clinicians explain options and evidence while patients share values and preferences, so the care plan is chosen together.

Documents or discussions completed while a person is capable that record future treatment preferences or name a surrogate decision-maker for when they cannot speak for themselves.

Interdisciplinary support that relieves symptoms, distress, and caregiver strain at any stage of serious illness, given alongside restorative or curative treatment.

The physical, emotional, and financial strain on family members caring for a stroke survivor; it predicts depression and institutionalization and should be assessed and supported.

Persistent low mood, loss of interest, or apathy after stroke that hinders recovery and function; routine screening and treatment are important but often overlooked.