Download - Slumping, Slurring and Slipping Away: Stroke Assessment

Slumping, Slurring and Slipping Away:

Stroke AssessmentLaurie A. Romig, MD, FACEPMedical DirectorPinellas County (FL) EMS

Caution!

This discussion relates only to nontraumatic neurological problems!

Prehospital Stroke Care

• MYTH: It doesn’t make a difference

• FACT: It does! (as with AMI)– Better field management can help to

limit stroke deficit– Rapid transport to the right facility

is an important component of the overall treatment strategy

• CHALLENGE: Not all areas have the appropriate infrastructure in place (i.e., Stroke Centers)

Prehospital Stroke Care

• Use the FAST-G# exam and history to

determine hospital destination

• Use the MEND* checklist to refine

field impression

• Evaluation and treatment criteria are based on latest AHA/ASA guidelines

# Pinellas County adaptation of Cincinnati Stroke Scale

*Miami Emergency Neurologic Deficit (includes Cincinnati Stroke Scale elements)

Stroke Facts and Rationale for Acute

Care

Stroke in the United States

• Affects > 700,000 persons per year– 1/3 die, 1/3 become disabled, 1/3

recover

• Third leading cause of death• Leading cause of long-term

disability• Costs $50 billion per year

Change in Terminology: Acute Brain Attack (Not “CVA”)

• Term aids public education efforts

• Identifies the brain as the organ

involved

• Implies appropriate sense of urgency

• Likens event to heart attack

• CVA = cerebrovascular accident

– Bad term because stroke is

preventable and treatable

Stroke Definition and Types

• General Definition

– Sudden brain dysfunction due to blood vessel problem

• Ischemic stroke (80%) – decreased blood supply to a focal area of brain– mostly thromboembolism (blood clot)

• Hemorrhagic stroke (20%)– blood vessel rupture within skull not due to

trauma– intracerebral (inside the brain tissue) or

subarachnoid (under the coverings of the brain)

Ischemic Stroke

Clot occluding arteryClot occluding artery

Most common cause: thromboembolism

Possible sources of clot:

• Heart

• Large artery (to brain)

• Small artery (in brain)CLOTCLOT

INFARCTINFARCT

Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Bleeding into Bleeding into brainbrain

Most common cause:chronic hypertension

Other causes:

• Vessel malformation

• Tumor, bleeding

abnormalities

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Bleeding around Bleeding around brainbrain

Most common cause:aneurysm rupture

Other causes:

• Vessel malformation

• Tumor, bleeding

abnormalities

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)

• Reversible focal dysfunction present for

minutes to less than 1 hour

• Among TIA patients who go the ED:

– 5% have stroke in next 2 days

– 10% have stroke in next 3 months

– 25% have a recurrent event (TIA or stroke)

within 3 months

• Stroke risk can be decreased with proper

therapy

• Do not enable patients to disregard the

importance of a TIA, even if they have had

them before and know what they are!

Ischemic Stroke: Nonmodifiable Risk Factors

• Advanced age• Male gender• Family history of early

stroke or MI

Ischemic Stroke: Modifiable Risk Factors

• Hypertension (systolic and diastolic)

• Cigarette smoking• Prior stroke/ TIA• Heart disease • Diabetes mellitus,

hyperlipidemia • Hypercoagulable states• Carotid bruit• Cocaine, excess alcohol Could this be

you?

The Stroke Battle Cry

Time is Brain: Save the

Penumbra!!

Time Is Brain: Save The Penumbra

Clot in Artery

The penumbra is a zone of reversible ischemia around a

core of irreversible

infarction. This area of brain is

salvageable in the first few hours after onset of

acute ischemic stroke symptoms.

(DEAD)

Time is Brain: Save the Penumbra

• Patient symptoms are due to both the infarcted core and the ischemic penumbra

• One cannot determine by exam how much brain can still be saved– Therefore, the full extent of the damage is not

immediately clear. Deficits could get worse or could get better

• Treatment aims to salvage the circulation to the penumbra– If treated early enough, all of the brain tissue

could be salvageable


• Thrombolytic agent t-PA can limit brain damage safely if given within 3 hours—it reduces risk of disability due to ischemic stroke by 30%

• t-PA is currently administered only if:– clinical diagnosis (no hemorrhage)

confirmed by CT scan– within 3 hours of onset (the sooner, the

better)– age 18 or older– no other absolute contraindications


• Other interventions such as intraarterial thrombolytics and clot retrieval devices are being used in facilities with specialized capabilities for some stroke patients– Treatment windows are expanding to 6 to 8

hours or more as facilities gain more experience with new devices

• The Penumbra is damaged by seizure, hypotension, hyperglycemia, fever, acidosis– This has implications for what we need to

evaluate, monitor and treat in the field

Time is Brain: Determine Cause

• In ED: define likelihood of ischemic stroke

• Full evaluation may take days and requires admission to the hospital

• Differential diagnosis is not extensive– Ischemia vs. hemorrhage– Mimics include: tumor, trauma,

seizure, migraine, hypoglycemia, overdose

Stroke Mimics

• These conditions can result in focal cerebral dysfunction and mimic a stroke:– hypoglycemia improves w/D50

– seizure w/postictal state staring/limb shaking at onset

– migraine previous similar events

– tumor onset over weeks to months

– abscess onset over weeks to months

– subdural hematoma posttrauma

The Stroke “Primary Survey”:The FAST-G Exam

Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale“FAST”

• Perform as part of Primary Survey under “D” for “Disability”

• Also incorporated in the FAST stroke primary evaluation tool and the MEND stroke secondary evaluation tool that you’ll hear about later– Facial droop– Arm drift– Speech– Time patient was last seen or known to

be normal

• This is a BLS level evaluation tool!

FFacial Droop (Cranial Nerves):Show Teeth or Smile

• Abnormal:– One side of face does not move

as well as the other side

Right-sided droop ©© AHA 1997AHA 1997

FFacial Droop

• You may have to encourage the patient to try

• Even in unresponsive patients, facial droop may be obvious

• It’s common also to see drooling from the affected side

Facial droop can be caused by other disorders as well (such as Bell’s Palsy), so a complete detailed stroke

examination is VERY important. If ONLY cranial nerve function is disrupted, stroke is less likely.

Left facial droop

AArm Drift (Motor):Hold arms out, palms down and close

eyes• Abnormal:

– One arm cannot be lifted or drifts down

Right-sided drift ©© AHA 1997AHA 1997

AArm Drift

• Normal finding is for both arms not to move once extended or to move together

• If patient is unable to obey commands, look for spontaneous movement or movement in response to verbal/painful stimulus– If patient is unresponsive and not

moving at all DO NOT mark this as abnormal. You just don’t know the answer.

SSpeech: Repeat Phrase

• “You can’t teach an old dog new

tricks.”

• Abnormal:

– Wrong or inappropriate words or unable

to speak (aphasia)

• Caused by left hemispheric deficitCaused by left hemispheric deficit

– Slurred words (dysarthria)

• Caused by cranial nerve deficitCaused by cranial nerve deficit

TTime last seen or known normal

• Forget the concept of “time of symptom onset” and change to “time last seen or known normal”

• This is CRUCIAL because time is the major determinant in what interventions may be effective

• “Time of onset” is often difficult to determine, so we default to the level of “time last normal”

– This also accounts for patients with previous deficits, because we’re asking about normality for that patient

You are called to a 76 year old female You are called to a 76 year old female found on the floor in her apartment found on the floor in her apartment

with obvious right-sided weakness and with obvious right-sided weakness and aphasia. She can’t give you history of aphasia. She can’t give you history of when the symptoms started, but the when the symptoms started, but the neighbor is able to tell you that she neighbor is able to tell you that she

last spoke with the patient the last spoke with the patient the previous evening, when she was acting previous evening, when she was acting normally. The patient’s son shows up normally. The patient’s son shows up and says that he talked to her on the and says that he talked to her on the telephone just one hour ago, and she telephone just one hour ago, and she

was normal at that time.was normal at that time.

What difference would the determination of “last seen or known normal” make?

• The actual time of onset of symptoms is unknown

• If the son had not known that the patient was normal one hour prior, we would have had to assume that the stroke symptoms began outside of the several hour window for intervention because we would have had to default to the last time she was contacted by the neighbor

• This is similar to the situation of a patient waking up with deficits—we don’t truly know when the symptoms started

FAST-GG Adaptation (Pinellas County)

• Adds field determination of blood glucose in order to rule out hypoglycemia as a reversible cause of stroke-like symptoms

• This is a high priority assessment tool, especially in diabetic patients or those with other potential reasons to be hypoglycemic– You’d be surprised at how many

hypoglycemia patients present with stroke symptoms, so don’t think that this is a rare occurrence!

PLEASE NOTE!!!

• ALTERED MENTAL STATUS without focal neurological findings as evaluated in the FAST-G and MEND exams should NOT be attributed by default to stroke.

• Other medical problems are far more common causes of isolated mental status changes– Intoxication/overdose– Sepsis– Metabolic problems– Head injury– Etc.

Important Supplemental Medical History

Important History Elements

• Help to pin down symptoms and last known normal time

• Help to determine risk factors and underlying causes as well as potential for stroke imitators

• Assist in differentiating ischemic from hemorrhagic stroke

• Assist in determining appropriate out-of-hospital and in-hospital treatment

• A Brain Attack form can prompt you for appropriate history– This is a State of Florida requirement

Importance of Witness Documentation

• Witnesses can be your only source of history

• We need to document specific witness testimony AND provide the hospital with witness contact information if they are not going to the hospital– Hospital staff may need to ask for additional

information

• Notify hospital staff if witness is coming to hospital and who to look for

• Record witness information on Brain Attack form or run report

Important History Elements: HPIHPI

• Potential symptoms to question– Extremity weakness– General weakness (i.e., nonfocal)– Vision changes– Slurred or inappropriate speech– Nausea/Vomiting– Syncope/Near-syncope

Important History Elements: HPIHPI

• More potential symptoms to question– Dizziness/Vertigo– Altered sensation (dull, increased, pins

and needles, etc.)– Altered level of consciousness*– Severe or otherwise unusual headache*– Stiff/painful neck*– Symptoms resolved?

• TIA rather than stroke

* Potential hemorrhagic stroke indicators

Relevance of specific symptoms

• Severe or unusual headache, especially combined with nausea/vomiting and/or altered LOC most typical of hemorrhagic stroke– May indicate transport to a

Neurosurgery capable facility. • Dizziness/vertigo, lack of coordination

possible cerebellar stroke• Dysarthria (slurred speech) rather than

aphasia (wrong words or none) possible brainstem stroke

Past Medical HistoryPast Medical History (Risk Factor Assessment)

• Dysrhythmias (particularly acute or chronic a. fib.)

• Diabetes• Current or very recent pregnancy

(within days)• Sickle cell disease (common cause of

stroke in younger patients)• Previous stroke (and whether

ischemic or hemorrhagic, if known)

Past Medical HistoryPast Medical History (Risk Factor Assessment)

• Chronic hypertension• Coronary artery disease or other

vascular atherosclerosis• Recent systemic cancer (common

cause of pediatric stroke)• Resuscitation status (prehospital

DNR?)• And our other routine past history

questioning

A Word About Old Deficits

• Patients with old strokes or other neurological deficits may, of course, have abnormal findings on the FAST or MEND exams even on their best days

• You may be in the best position to determine from witnesses or the patient what is NORMAL FOR THEM

• Document all deficits on the run report and try to make clear which are old, new or worse than usual

Fibrinolytic Screening

• Not all positive responses are ABSOLUTE contraindications for fibrinolytics– Criteria are dynamically changing

with new modes of therapy– Risk is balanced against potential

benefit• NOTE: Age is NOT a primary factor!


• Head trauma at onset of symptoms– Which came first?

• Seizure at onset?– Could symptoms be Todd’s

Paralysis (postictal paralysis) due to the seizure or did a stroke cause the seizure?

• Symptoms consistent with cerebral bleed?


• Patient on Coumadin or Warfarin?– Aspirin or NSAIDs do NOT have the

same effect, but note these separately

• History of bleeding or clotting disorder?

• Previous hemorrhagic stroke?– Increased likelihood of recurrence

rather than new ischemic stroke


• Current pregnancy or very recent delivery?– Pregnant women can be hypercoagulable

and fibrinolytics can be contraindicated at very early stages of pregnancy or in first few days after delivery

• Surgery or significant hemorrhage within the last 3 months? – GI, vascular, thoracic, orthopedic, cranial

surgery– GI bleed, variceal bleed, intracerebral

bleed, major traumatic hemorrhage

The Stroke Secondary Survey:The Miami Emergency Neurologic

Deficit (MEND) Exam

MEND Exam: Stroke Secondary Survey

• Perform en route unless awaiting transport

• May be able to detect strokes NOT evident from FAST exam

• Helps to define the specific stroke syndrome

• Helps to document severity of stroke, which may enter into hospital treatment recommendations

• Establishes detailed baseline for later comparison

• Can be accomplished in less than 5 minutes

• This is also a BLS assessment; it just takes a little more knowledge of physiology to interpret

MEND Exam: Mental Status Section

• Level of consciousness: AVPU– Remember that this is supposed to

reflect the patient’s highest level of mental function, so be sure to stimulate adequately

MEND Exam: Mental Status Section: Speech

• Speech: Repeat “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks”– Use this phrase specifically rather

than just judging from spontaneous speech

– Listen for aphasia or dysarthria


• Aphasia– An impairment in understanding (receptive

aphasia) and/or formulating complex, meaningful elements of language (expressive aphasia)

– Doesn’t always mean unable to speak at all, but may include inappropriate words or word order or difficulty with word finding (could also be considered “dysphasia”)

– Reflects a temporal or frontal lobe problem – Patients often appear frustrated that they

can’t get the words out or that you can’t understand them


• Dysarthria (“dys” = abnormal, “arthria” = articulation)– Slow, slurred, weak, imprecise or

uncoordinated speech– Caused by weakness or incoordination of

speech muscles– Words are usually appropriate

• Both aphasia and dysarthria are recorded as abnormal

• If patient isn’t speaking at all because they are unconscious, you can’t evaluate speech

MEND Exam: Mental Status Section: Questions

• Ask patient for their age and what month it is

• If patient is aphasic or unable to follow commands you just can’t evaluate this element. Don’t assume that they would not be oriented if they could respond.

MEND Exam: Mental Status Section: Commands

• Ask patient to open their eyes wide and then close them tightly (or vice versa)

• This is more sensitive than hand squeezing because eye opening motor function is affected less often by motor deficits than hand muscle function – The patient is less likely to have problems

because they physically can’t do the task

• You may think that you can assume the answer to this question by the patient’s response to the speech test, but follow the systematic approach

MEND Exam: Cranial Nerve Section: Facial Droop

• Cranial nerves affect speech (through facial muscles), vision (through eye muscles and the optic nerve), facial movement, facial sensation, hearing, and swallowing

• Ask patient to “give me a big smile” or “show me your teeth”

• Both sides of the mouth should move equally

• Facial droop without other neurological deficits may actually be caused by isolated nerve problems such as Bell’s Palsy rather than stroke

If the patient pulls his false teeth out of If the patient pulls his false teeth out of his pocket at this point, at least you’ve his pocket at this point, at least you’ve

got evidence of ability to follow got evidence of ability to follow commands!commands!

MEND Exam: Cranial Nerve Section: Visual Fields

• Visual Fields– Definition: the area in which objects

can be seen in peripheral vision while focusing straight ahead

– Usually broken into left and right upper and lower quadrants•We’ll test all four quadrants, but

record abnormalities only as left or right


• Have patient look straight at your nose• Hold your hands about 18 inches in front of the

patient, fingers bent at the palm and facing each other

• If YOU can’t see your fingers wiggling in YOUR peripheral vision, your hands are too far apart!


• Tell the patient to point to where they see wiggling fingers (if they do)

• If they don’t see your fingers at first, move your hands toward the patient’s nose a little to make sure that you’re within their normal field of vision

• Obviously, if a patient can’t follow commands, you can’t do this test


• Wiggle your fingers in each of the four quadrants, but try not to make the pattern predictable to the patient

• Report any abnormalities only by “right” or “left” (don’t have to specify upper or lower)

MEND Exam: Cranial Nerve Section: Horizontal Gaze

• This basically tests eye muscle function, which is governed by cranial nerves 3, 4 and 6 in the brainstem, though the cortex can also affect eye muscle function

• Have the patient look straight ahead at you to start with. Instruct them to follow your finger with their eyes, but not to move their head. You may need to touch their chin to remind them not to move.

• Check to see if the patient has any prosthetic eyes!


• Using a polite finger , start with your finger in the midline and have the patient follow the finger to each side

• The object is to “bury the sclera”, or get the patient to look ALL the way to the side

• You may have to hold an eye open if lid droop is present


Examples of possible deficitsExamples of possible deficits


• If the patient is unable to comply with commands to do the horizontal gaze assessment, simply observe spontaneous eye movement (if present)

• If you see a deviated gaze, the deficit is actually recorded as THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE EYE WILL NOT MOVE (right or left)– Gaze deviated to left is recorded as a right

gaze deficit • The eye muscles that allow the eye to track to

the right are not functioning, therefore the eye is being pulled to the left

MEND Exam: Cranial Nerve Section: Horizontal Gaze: Advanced Physiology

• Eye deviation at REST is technically called GAZE PREFERENCE. The eye muscles CAN move in all directions, but they “prefer” not to– This is usually a result of a cerebral

hemispheric stroke

– Example: Eyes that seem to “prefer” to be looking to the left actually represent a left hemispheric stroke and would be recorded as an abnormal horizontal gaze to the right (won’t look to the right) on the BAT form

• But it would also be called a left gaze preference

MEND Exam: Cranial Nerve Section: Horizontal: Advanced

Physiology• A real inability of the eye to follow past the

midline is true GAZE PALSY, and is usually the result of a brainstem problem or direct injury to the eye muscles. In these injuries, the eyes appear to look AWAY from the affected side of the brainstem.

• For our purposes, don’t get too tied up in trying to figure out where the stroke is by the gaze deficit. Other symptoms will probably help you to discriminate better

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Arm Drift

• This is simply a repeat of the arm drift assessment done in the FAST exam

• Please DO repeat the test rather than assuming that the results will be the same as during the FAST

• Eyes should be closed for the arm drift test, but do not have to be for the leg drift test

• Palms should face down for the arm drift test (sleepwalker position)

• Arms are held out simultaneously, not separately• The key to look for is whether the sides are

symmetrical or not, not how high the lift is• Exam can be done on a supine or seated patient

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Leg Drift

• Legs are tested separately• Can be done with a seated or supine

patient• Eyes do not need to be closed• Have patient attempt to lift the whole leg,

not just kick out or up with the lower leg• Again, symmetry is the most important

factor to observe• Having the patient hold the limb up for a

second or two rather than just kicking up once may better reveal a subtle weakness on one side compared to the other

A note about patients who can’t follow commands for arm and leg drift

• Observe spontaneous movement and document accordingly; do the best you can– Remember, symmetry is really the

most important observation

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Abnormal Sensory Section

• Have the patient uncross arms and legs for these tests– Crossed arms and legs can lead to

confusion for the brain• Have the patient close their eyes• Test arms and legs separately, having

patient tell you or point to the side they feel a touch on (if they do)– Even aphasic patients may be able to

accurately indicate results this way• After testing each side separately, ask if the

sensation is the same on both sides

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Abnormal Sensory Section

• Touch on the back of the hands and the top of the foot or on the shin

• Test the same location on each side• Note absence of sensation as

abnormal, but also note alteration in sensation (pins and needles, decreased sensation, etc) as abnormal– Again, symmetry is the key

• A person with chronic peripheral vascular disease or neuropathy may have decreased or altered distal sensation all the time, but it will usually be symmetrical

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Abnormal Coordination Section

• This section tests the cerebellum, which supplies coordination of muscle movements

• The test for the upper extremities is called the Finger to Nose test

• The test for the lower extremities is called the Heel to Shin test

Abnormal Coordination Section

• If the test cannot be performed because of extremity weakness, don’t assume that coordination is abnormal – This is one reason to do the

coordination testing AFTER motor testing

• Name the abnormality for the side that is actively moving (finger or heel) as part of the test, not the stationary nose or shin

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Finger to Nose Test

• Hold your finger upright in the midline in front of the patient’s face (about 8 to 10 inches away to start)

• Tell the patient to touch your finger with one finger of one hand, then to touch their nose, then back to your finger– You can demonstrate if needed

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Finger to Nose Test

• Once they get the idea, pull your finger far enough away from them that they have to stretch a bit– This uncovers more subtle ataxia or

incoordination

• Have them repeat the motion several times, then switch sides

• Abnormal findings are missing your finger or their own nose or having a tremor during the motion

MEND Exam: Limb Section: Heel to Shin Test

• Have the patient slide the heel of one foot straight down the top of the shin of the other leg, from the knee down to the foot

• Repeat on the other side• Look for inability to place or keep the

foot on the shin• Remember that the abnormal side is

named for the foot, not the shin• Remember that inability to do this test

because of muscle weakness does NOT mean that you mark the results abnormal

A note about tremors

• Tremors that appear at rest are not usually due to stroke, but are more often due to disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and other CNS disorders– These tremors usually disappear when

performing a specific motor task

• Intention tremor, or a tremor that begins or worsens when performing a motor task is more commonly due to stroke

Bonus Content!!!!!!

Download this presentation from www.jumpstarttriage.com/The_Other_Dr.php

or go to www.jumpstarttriage and click on the “The Other Dr. Romig” page

You’ll find extra sections on Prehospital Treatment for Strokes, the Five Major Stroke

Syndromes, and practice scenarios that we just don’t have time for.

Summary

• Stroke has joined Acute Myocardial Infarction as a very time-sensitive prehospital disorder

Summary

• Rapid and basic assessment on scene with expedited transport is, in effect, therapy for these patients

• Basic stroke assessment is a BLS skill. More advanced assessment can improve your understanding of the disorder and facilitate clear communication with Stroke Teams at Stroke Centers

Questions?

[email protected]

Don’t forget the Bonus Content

Bonus Content!!

Prehospital Stroke Management

Basic Principles of Prehospital Stroke Care

• First do no harm– avoid giving glucose unless absolutely

indicated– avoid treating hypertension– avoid causing aspiration pneumonia

• Report to ED– details of symptom onset– neurologic exam– witness information

Avoid Giving Glucose

• THE RULE: Do NOT give glucose-containing solutions

to acute stroke patients

• THE REASON: Hyperglycemia causes lactic acidosis

and damages the penumbra

• THE EXCEPTIONS:

– Hypoglycemic patients with known history of

hypoglycemic episodes (such as insulin dependent

diabetics) should still be treated as usual. The

symptoms may be due to the low blood sugar.

– Patients without a REASON to be hypoglycemic

should only treated if their blood sugar is < 50

gm/dl

Avoid Treating Hypertension

• THE RULE: EMS should not treat

hypertension in acute stroke

patients

• THE REASONS:

– HTN is commonly caused by the stroke

– It may be required for penumbra

perfusion

– It often subsides without treatment

Avoid Causing Aspiration Pneumonia

• THE RULES: – Keep 100% NPO– Elevate head 30o (no higher) unless

hypotensive• This is actually a recommendation that

is being debated by some neurologists– If vomiting, use left lateral recumbent

position

• THE REASON: Most stroke patients have

trouble swallowing & aspiration is a

major cause of morbidity & mortality

On Scene Care Summary

• Complete FAST-G• Priority interventions

– Maintain SpO2 of at least 95%•No benefit to maintaining higher

SpO2– Keep head straight, elevate head of

stretcher to no more than 30 degrees unless hypotensive•Left lateral recumbent position if

nauseated or vomiting


• Priority interventions (cont.)– Maintain systolic BP of at least 90 mm

Hg– DO NOT treat hypertension – Treat blood glucose if < 50 mg/dl (< 40

mg/dl for neonate) and no history of hypoglycemia

• Treat patients with known hypoglycemia history as usual

– Make destination decision based on exam and history•Get at least HPI and witness

information on scene


• IV insertion can be delayed until during transport if it is not needed for a priority intervention

• Same for cardiac monitor and 12 lead ECG

• Key is to minimize scene time in order to maximize window for definitive treatment

En Route Care Summary

• Document thoroughly

• Treat clinical complications as they arise

• Perform MEND exam as a secondary

assessment tool

– DO NOT DELAY to do this on scene

• Contact receiving facility as soon as

possible to give them time to prepare for

the patient

Quick Radio Report Template

• Patient age and gender• Symptoms and FAST-G results

– Make sure to include time last seen normal and blood glucose

• Most PERTINENT history (history of previous bleed or ischemic stroke, pregnant?)

• Vital signs, cardiac rhythm if available• Interventions performed• Fibrinolytic screening negative, positive for

possible contraindications, or in progress (don’t necessarily need details over the radio)

• MEND exam results/stroke syndrome suspected if available

• ETA

How does a good radio report help the ED?

• Clear a bed for the patient if necessary and prep to receive patient report on arrival

• Notify CT and reshuffle other patients waiting for same

• Notify Stroke Team so that they can be present or en route when you arrive

• Prep their registration processes so that tests can be ordered more quickly

• In general, get everybody into the same kind of mindset a Trauma Team or STEMI Team has

Example of ED Report

• 64-year-old man, last known to be without symptoms at 0130 today, with a chief complaint of right-sided weakness.

• He was found by his wife at 0300; she is with us.

• There was no observed trauma or seizure activity observed.

• His glucose is 140 and his BP is 168/105.• Fibrinolytic screening is negative for

contraindications

Example of ED Report

• He is alert with mild dysarthria, no aphasia, normal visual fields, & moderate weakness of the right face, arm, & leg. (MEND exam)

• Monitor shows atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response rate of 86. 12 lead shows no signs of ischemia.

• He has maintained a pulse ox of 96% on 2 liters of O2 by cannula and we’ve performed no other interventions.

• Our ETA is approximately 10 minutes.

The Major Stroke Syndromes

Brain: Major Divisions

Cerebral Cortex gray matter “computer center”

Cerebral Cortex gray matter “computer center”

Brainstem

connects cerebrum and spinal cord (“funnel” of the brain)

contains nerves to face/head

Brainstem

connects cerebrum and spinal cord (“funnel” of the brain)

contains nerves to face/head

Cerebral Subcortex deep white matter

“wires” connecting cortex and brainstem

Cerebral Subcortex deep white matter

“wires” connecting cortex and brainstem

Cerebellum

coordination center

Cerebellum

coordination center

Note: Cerebrum= R and L hemispheres= cortex and subcortex

Note: Cerebrum= R and L hemispheres= cortex and subcortex

Functional areas of the cerebral cortex

A stroke in these particular areas will likely affect the functions shown for that area.

Major Stroke Syndromes

1. Left Hemisphere

2. Right Hemisphere

3. Brainstem

4. Cerebellum

5. Hemorrhagic

Stroke syndromes are named for the location Stroke syndromes are named for the location of the injured area of the brain. of the injured area of the brain. HEMORRHAGICHEMORRHAGIC stroke is separated out because of its potential stroke is separated out because of its potential

importance in destination and treatment importance in destination and treatment decision making, but it can occur in any area of decision making, but it can occur in any area of

the brain.the brain.

Right and Left Hemispheric Strokes

• Motor and sensory deficits are found on the side OPPOSITE to the affected side of the brain

• Visual field deficits are also found on the side OPPOSITE to the affected side of the brain

• Horizontal gaze is also affected in the direction OPPOSITE to the affected side of the brain– Because the eye can’t move to the opposite

side, it actually appears to be looking AT the affected side of the brain in hemispheric strokes

LeftLeft (Dominant) Hemisphere Typical Signs: RightRight Side Weakness and AphasiaAphasia

AphasiaAphasia

Left Gaze Left Gaze Preference Preference

(in hemispheric (in hemispheric stroke, looks stroke, looks

TOWARD the side TOWARD the side of the injury)of the injury)

Right Right HemiparesisHemiparesis

Right Right Hemisensory Hemisensory LossLoss

Right Visual Right Visual Field DeficitField Deficit

Hemiparesis: weakness or partial

paralysis

Hemiplegia: paralysis

Aphasia

• In right hand dominant people, the speech center of the brain is found in the left hemisphere– So left hemispheric stroke is the most

likely cause of aphasia in most people– HOWEVER, some left hand dominant

people have their speech centers on the right side of the brain, so they may present with right hemispheric stroke symptoms and aphasia

RightRight (Nondominant) Hemisphere Typical Signs: LeftLeft Side Weakness

Right Gaze Right Gaze PreferencePreference

(in hemispheric (in hemispheric stroke, looks stroke, looks TOWARD the side TOWARD the side of the injury)of the injury)

Left HemiparesisLeft Hemiparesis

Left Left Hemisensory Hemisensory

LossLoss

Left Hemi-Left Hemi-inattention inattention

(Neglect)(Neglect)Left Visual Left Visual

Field DeficitField Deficit

Hemi-inattention or “Neglect”“Neglect”

• Patients with neglect tend not to acknowledge (i.e., they “neglect”) anything about the affected side of their body– “People who experience damage to the right parietal lobe

sometimes show a fascinating condition called hemi-inattention. When this occurs, the person is unable to attend to the left side of the body and the world. A person with hemi-inattention may shave or apply makeup only to the right side of the face. While dressing, he or she may put a shirt on the right arm but leave the left side of the shirt hanging behind the body. The person may eat from only the right side of the plate, not noticing the food on the left side. This condition is not due to visual problems or the loss of sensation on the left side of the body, but is a deficit in the ability to direct attention to the left side of the body and the world.” (Psychobiology, Salem Press)

Hemi-inattention or “Neglect”“Neglect”

• The most common form of neglect is neglect of the left side of the body due to a right hemispheric lesion, but neglect can affect other areas as well

• If a patient appears not to acknowledge your presence from one side of the body, try changing sides to rule out the presence of hemi-inattention (neglect)

• Patients can often eventually totally recover from hemi-inattention deficits

BrainstemBrainstem Typical Signs: BilateralBilateral Abnormalities

Quadriparesis

Sensory Loss

in All 4 Limbs

Crossed Signs (1 side of face and contralateral body)Hemiparesis

Hemisensory

Loss

BrainstemBrainstem Typical Signs: Cranial Cranial NerveNerve and Other Deficits

Oropharyngeal Oropharyngeal Weakness:Weakness:

Dysarthria Dysarthria (speaking), (speaking), Dysphagia Dysphagia (swallowing)(swallowing)

Eye Movement Eye Movement Abnormalities:Abnormalities:

DiplopiaDiplopia

Dysconjugate Dysconjugate GazeGaze

Gaze Palsy Gaze Palsy (horizontal gaze (horizontal gaze

deficit or gaze deficit or gaze preference)preference)

Decreased LOCDecreased LOC

Nausea, Nausea, VomitingVomiting

Hiccups, Hiccups, Abnormal Abnormal RespirationsRespirations

Vertigo, Vertigo, TinnitusTinnitus

CerebellumCerebellum Typical Signs: Lack of CoordinationLack of Coordination

Ipsilateral (same Ipsilateral (same side) Limb side) Limb Ataxia Ataxia (dyscoordination(dyscoordination))

Truncal or GaitTruncal or Gait

Ataxia (imbalance)Ataxia (imbalance)

Tremors, or Limb Tremors, or Limb Ataxia, result from Ataxia, result from lack of coordination lack of coordination of opposing muscle of opposing muscle groups (flexors vs. groups (flexors vs. extensors), causing extensors), causing the muscle groups the muscle groups to fight each otherto fight each other

Hemorrhage and the Brain Coverings

• Cranium (skull): hard container enclosing brain

• Meninges: 3-layered cloth-like covering of brain and spinal cord

• Hemorrhagic stroke suddenly increases intracranial pressure

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage irritates the meninges

Symptoms Suggestive of Hemorrhage

Subarachnoid Subarachnoid Hemorrhage:Hemorrhage:

Intolerance to Intolerance to LightLight

Neck Stiffness / Neck Stiffness / PainPain

Intracerebral Intracerebral Hemorrhage:Hemorrhage:

Focal Signs Such Focal Signs Such as Hemiparesis as Hemiparesis

Both Both Subarachnoid Subarachnoid and and Intracerebral Intracerebral Hemorrhage:Hemorrhage:

HeadacheHeadache

Nausea, Nausea, VomitingVomiting

Decreased LOC Decreased LOC (not always (not always present)present)

None of these signs are DIAGNOSTIC of

hemorrhage; hemorrhage may be

totally indistinguishable

from ischemic stroke without imaging

studies

Other potentially distinguishing characteristics of hemorrhagic stroke

• New onset of seizures is more common with hemorrhagic than ischemic strokes

• Altered mental status is more commonly associated with hemorrhagic strokes

– Remember that isolated altered mental status is NOT very likely to be due to stroke

• Most hemorrhagic strokes will have some combination of the listed symptoms and signs, not just one abnormal finding

Hemorrhagic Stroke

• You may NOT be able to detect a hemorrhagic stroke merely by doing the FAST-G exam– History questions are extremely important

to focus you on further findings!!• The MEND exam may be the only exam that

reveals physical signs of a hemorrhagic stroke

• A minority of strokes are hemorrhagic and the minority of hemorrhagic stroke patients end up going to surgery

• Know your local protocols about transport destinations for possible hemorrhagic stroke patients

Noncontrast CT Scans: Ischemic Stroke

• Initial CT scans of ischemic stroke patients may be NORMAL or may only show signs of cerebral edema– You can see the sulci

and gyri on the right side of the brain, but the same area is more blurry on the left side

RR 4 Hours4 Hours LL

Subtle blurring and Subtle blurring and compression of compression of

sulcisulci

Sulcus (space

between gyri)

Gyrus (a fold

of cortex)

Noncontrast CT Scans: Ischemic Stroke

R R 4 Days4 Days LL

Obvious dark Obvious dark changes of changes of infarctioninfarction

• The CT scan usually later develops the more typical dark changes of ischemic infarctionQuick Quiz:Quick Quiz:

What neurological What neurological findings would you findings would you expect this patient expect this patient

to have?to have?(Answer is in speaker’s notes for (Answer is in speaker’s notes for

presentation)presentation)

Noncontrast CT Scan: Hemorrhagic Strokes

““Ball” of whiteBall” of whiteblood in thalamusblood in thalamus

White blood incisterns & 4th ventricle

Intracerebral Hemorrhage Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Quick Summary of Major Stroke Syndromes

12

5

4

3

RIGHT HEMISPHERE2

BRAINSTEM3

CEREBELLUM4

POSSIBLE HEMORRHAGE5

Speech–Aphasia Right Body–Visual

Motor, Sensory

Left Body–Neglect, Visual, Motor, Sensory

Right and/or Left Motor, Sensory

Eye Movements Speech/Swallowing Dizziness/Nausea Consciousness

Imbalance Dyscoordination

Headache Neck Pain/Stiffness Light Intolerance Nausea/Vomiting Consciousness + Focal Findings

LEFT HEMISPHERE1

Major Syndrome Deficits

LEFTLEFTHEMISPHEREHEMISPHERE

5 Major Syndromes: Typical Signs

RIGHTRIGHTHEMISPHEREHEMISPHERE

BRAINSTEMBRAINSTEM CEREBELLUMCEREBELLUM HEMORRHAGEHEMORRHAGEFOCALFOCALDEFICITSDEFICITS

AphasiaAphasia––wrong orwrong orinappropriateinappropriatewordswords

Says correctlySays correctly DysarthriaDysarthria––slurringslurring

Says correctlySays correctlySays correctlySays correctlybut slowlybut slowly(often sleepy)(often sleepy)

SSPEECHPEECH

Right facialRight facialdroopdroop

Left facialLeft facialdroopdroop

May haveMay havebilateral droopbilateral droop No droopNo droop No droopNo droopFFACIALACIAL

DROOPDROOP

Right arm driftRight arm drift(weakness)(weakness)

Left arm driftLeft arm drift(weakness)(weakness)

May haveMay havebilateral driftbilateral drift(weakness)(weakness)

No driftNo drift No driftNo driftAARMRMDRIFTDRIFT

** ++

Finger-to-nose and/or heel-to-shin testing typically abnormalFinger-to-nose and/or heel-to-shin testing typically abnormalDecreased level of consciousness with headache and stiff neck are typical; this syndromeDecreased level of consciousness with headache and stiff neck are typical; this syndromewithout associated focal neurologic deficits is most consistent with subarachnoid hemorrhage.without associated focal neurologic deficits is most consistent with subarachnoid hemorrhage.With intracerebral hemorrhage, focal deficits may occur.With intracerebral hemorrhage, focal deficits may occur.

++**

Practice Scenarios: Stroke Syndromes and the MEND

Practice Case #1

You are dispatched to a 74 year old You are dispatched to a 74 year old male patient complaining of male patient complaining of

“dizziness”. On arrival, you find an “dizziness”. On arrival, you find an alert patient sitting in a chair. Click on alert patient sitting in a chair. Click on

whatever you want to do next.whatever you want to do next.

FAST-G

Past History


Hx of Present Illness

Vital Signs

MEND

Transport Now

Practice Case #1: FAST-G(left click to obtain information, then click on arrow)

FF

AA

SS

TT

GG

Left facial droop

Right arm drift

Speech slurred, but appropriate words

20 minutes (witnessed)104

Practice Case #1: Fibrinolytic Screening (left click to obtain information, then click on arrow)

• No head trauma at onset

• No seizure at onset• No previous

hemorrhagic stroke• + nausea without

headache or neck stiffness

• Not on Coumadin (takes one aspirin a day)

• No history of bleeding/clotting disorder

• Not pregnant• No recent surgery

or hemorrhage

Practice Case # 1: Past History (click on arrow to proceed)

• + HTN• + CAD• + TIA’s• + COPD• - DM• Otherwise negative

Practice Case #1: Hx of Present Illness (left click to obtain information, then click on

arrow)

• Sudden onset of severe vertigo with nausea, no vomiting

• Weakness of right arm and leg

• No syncope, numbness/paresthesias, headache, neck pain/stiffness, shaking/tremor, seizure activity, trauma

• + double vision

• + slurred speech

Practice Case #1: Vital Signs (left click to obtain information, then click on arrow)

• BP 186/96• HR 112, regular• RR 18• SaO2 95% on room air• Sinus rhythm

Practice Case #1: MEND(click on arrow to proceed)

Your ambulance is here. Are you sure you want to do this now?

(The MEND should be delayed until en route if transport is available.)

You are transporting… (left click to obtain information, then left click to go to next case)

Brain Attack Alert

(persistent deficits and within thrombolytic

window)?

YES

At risk for hemorrhagic

stroke?

Probably not

Appropriate destination?

Closest Stroke Center

If you can’t answer these questions, go back to start of case

What’s your initial guess as to which stroke syndrome this patient is experiencing?

• Right hemispheric?• Left hemispheric?• Cerebellar?• Brainstem?

MEND Exam

• Mental Status– Alert

– Abnormal (slurred) speech

– Answers both questions appropriately

– Follows commands, though weakly with right side

• Cranial Nerves– Left facial droop

– Visual fields normal

– Right gaze palsy (won’t look to right)

• Limbs– + right arm and leg drift

– Normal sensation

– Right arm and leg too weak to perform coordination testing. Left side normal.

Practice Case # 1

Which stroke syndrome does this

appear to be?

Brainstem

Is this patient a fibrinolytic candidate?

YES!

Presence of crossed motor signs, vertigo, speech deficit and gaze palsy indicate Brainstem origin

Practice Case # 2

You are dispatched to a 54 year old female with altered mental status. You

find her in her bed at the nursing home. Click on whatever you want to

do next.

FAST-G

Past History



Vital Signs

MEND

Transport Now

Practice Case # 2: FAST-G

FF

AA

SS

TT

GG

Right facial droop

Not moving left arm at all but moving other extremities restlessly (weakly on right)Not speaking at all

Last seen normal for her 5 hours ago

66

Practice Case # 2: Fibrinolytic Screening

• No head trauma at onset

• No seizure at onset• No previous

hemorrhagic stroke• + vomiting

• Takes Coumadin• No history of

bleeding/clotting disorder

• Not pregnant• No recent

surgery or hemorrhage

Practice Case # 2: Past History

• + atrial fibrillation• + CAD• + previous ischemic stroke with residual

aphasia and mild right sided weakness• - DM• + HTN with recent medication change

Practice Case # 2: Hx of Present Illness

• Found on nursing rounds; normally awake and alert with aphasia and mild right sided weakness

• No known head trauma or seizure activity

• No previous bleed or bleeding/clotting disorders

• Unknown complaints before symptom onset

• No recent surgery or hemorrhage

Practice Case # 2: Vital Signs

• BP 230/130• HR 98, irregular, a. fib on monitor• RR 12• SaO2 92% on room air

Practice Case #2: MEND

Your ambulance is here. Are you sure Your ambulance is here. Are you sure you want to do this now?you want to do this now?

While you’re loading up…

Brain Attack Alert?Brain Attack Alert?

YES (due to altered mental status without alternate explanation, patient on Coumadin, high BP, vomiting, unknown headache)

At risk for At risk for hemorrhagic hemorrhagic

stroke?stroke?

YES (due to suspected hemorrhagic origin, time since last known normal not as important)

Appropriate Appropriate destination?destination?

Consider Neurosurgical facilityLeft click to proceed

MEND Exam

• Mental Status– Responds to

pain (withdraws)

– No speech

– Unable to test response to questions

– Does not follow commands

• Cranial Nerves– Right facial droop

– Unable to test visual fields

– Unable to test horizontal gaze, but no gaze preference

• Limbs– Left arm not moving, right side

weak on spontaneous motion

– No response to pain with right arm, otherwise withdraws from pain

– Unable to do coordination testing

Practice Case # 2

Which stroke Which stroke syndrome does this syndrome does this

appear to be?appear to be?

Hemorrhagic right Hemorrhagic right cerebral cerebral

hemispherehemisphere

Is this patient a Is this patient a fibrinolytic fibrinolytic candidate?candidate?

NO!NO!

Treat blood sugar? NO! NO! (due to lack of specific (due to lack of specific

reason to be hypoglycemic reason to be hypoglycemic and BS > 50)and BS > 50)

Treat blood pressure?

NO!NO!

Left click to proceed to next slide

Practice Case # 3

You are dispatched to the sidewalk outside of a bar for a 70 year old male found down on the sidewalk. He appears to be asleep but rouses

to verbal stimulation and stays awake. There is a definite odor of EtOH on his breath. Click on

whatever you want to do next.

FAST-G

Past History



Vital Signs

MENDMEND

Transport Now

Practice Case # 3: FAST-G (left click to obtain information, then click on arrow)

FF

AA

SS

TT

GG

No facial droop

No arm drift

Slurred speech but appropriate wordsBartender inside says he saw the patient walk into the bar normally about an hour ago

180

Practice Case # 3: Fibrinolytic Screening (left click to obtain information, then click on

arrow)• No signs of head

trauma• No seizure at onset• Patient states he

has never had a stroke

• Neck hurts “like usual” from arthritis

• Does not take Coumadin

• No history of bleeding/clotting disorder

• Not pregnant• No recent surgery

or hemorrhage

Practice Case # 3: Past History(click on arrow to proceed)

• “I drink a little more than I should”• + DM, on oral meds• Denies other past history

Practice Case # 3: Hx of Present Illness (left click to obtain information, then click on

arrow)

• States he only had “two beers” today• Denies focal or general weakness,

vision change, nausea or vomiting, syncope/near syncope, dizziness, paresthesias (“I got a buzz on, does that count?”), headache, seizure activity

Practice Case # 3: Vital Signs (left click to obtain information, then click on arrow)

• BP 110/74• HR 88, regular• RR 12• SaO2 96% on room air• Sinus rhythm on monitor

Practice Case # 3: What now?

““But I don’t need to go to the hospital. I want to But I don’t need to go to the hospital. I want to go home!”go home!”

Is this man just drunk, or might he have something more serious going on?

How do we answer this question??How do we answer this question??

Left click to proceed

Which stroke syndrome could mimic alcohol intoxication?

Right hemisphericLeft hemisphericBrainstemCerebellar

Left click to see correct answer

How might we distinguish between intoxication (alcohol +/- other drugs) and cerebellar stroke?

• Ask about drinking habits– How much did you drink compared to

normal for you?– Do you feel more drunk than usual for

what you drank?– Ask bartender or friends about

patient’s behavior compared to normal


How might we distinguish between intoxication (alcohol +/- other drugs) and

cerebellar stroke?

• Look for evidence of FOCAL signs

– Isolated intoxication should affect the patient equally on both sides

– Unilateral abnormalities or a marked difference in degree of impairment between sides should be suggestive of a stroke

• Would still need to try to distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic etiology

• What tool do we have to help with this?

– The MEND examLeft click to proceed

In this case…(left click to see info, then left click to proceed)

• The patient does admit to feeling more drunk than he should after just two beers. The bartender verifies that he’s only had two “normal sized” beers.

• On the MEND exam:– Mental status exam is normal except for

slurred speech

– Cranial nerve exam is normal

– Strength and sensation are normal

– The patient is a bit ataxic even while sitting and has abnormal finger to nose and heel to shin tests bilaterally, but MUCH worse on the left side than the right

Disposition?

• Explain risks to the patient. If he continues to refuse treatment and transport, follow your usual refusal protocol. Remember that this is a high risk situation.

• Remember that intoxicated patients get sick too!


You’ve talked the patient into transport. Now, while you’re loading up…

(left click for answers, then left click to proceed)

Brain Attack Alert?Brain Attack Alert?

Probably NOT At risk for At risk for hemorrhagic hemorrhagic

stroke?stroke?

YES (due to last known normal time of about an hour ago with positive neuro findings)

Appropriate Appropriate destination?destination?

Closest Stroke Center

Congratulations! You’ve finished!

If you haven’t already done so, download and check out the Pinellas County EMS Brain

Attack Form.

Thanks for playing!(Please contact me at [email protected] with

any feedback or errors)

Download - Slumping, Slurring and Slipping Away: Stroke Assessment

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