Objectives
Upon completion of this 3-unit course, you will be able to:

List five risk factors for stroke. ÿ List the two most common types of stroke.

Describe the two main arterial systems supplying blood to the brain.

Identify two common types of radiological assessment used for acute stroke.

Identify 3 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria for the use of t-PA.

Introduction
A stroke or cerebrovascular accident is a medical emergency caused by loss of oxygen to the brain due to either a blockage of blood flow or hemorrhage. In the United States, it is estimated that 400,000 to 500,000 new strokes occur each year making stroke the 3rd leading cause of death, the second leading cause of disability and costing over $30 billion annually for treatment. Over 2,000,000 people in the United States live with the neurological after-effects of cerebral vascular accidents. Stroke accounts for half of all neurological admissions to acute hospitals and although death occurs in only 15% of cases, permanent disability occurs in over 50%.

The incidence of stroke increases with age and doubles with each decade after age 55. Stroke rates are 50% higher in African-American men than in white men and 130% higher in African-American women than in white women.