Overview
What is posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
How does cerebral artery (PCA) stroke occur?
What are the neurologic symptoms of sustained posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are possible complications of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the neurovascular anatomy relevant to posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are major posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke syndromes?
What is the pathophysiology of visual field loss in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of visual agnosia in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of Balint syndrome in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of prosopagnosia in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of reading disorders in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of memory impairment in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the pathophysiology of motor dysfunction in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What causes ischemic stroke in posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are etiologic mechanisms for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are less common etiologies of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of cardioembolism in the etiology of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of migraine in the etiology of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the prevalence of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the racial predilections of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Which patient groups are at highest risk for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the prognosis of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the mortality rate for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
At discharge, what is included in patient education about posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is included in patient education for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Presentation
What are the signs and symptoms of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the goals of assessment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What should be the focus of history in the assessment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the visual symptoms of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is included in the physical exams for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the characteristic physical findings of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
DDX
What are the differential diagnoses for Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke?
Workup
How should the evaluation of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke be approached initially?
Which factors determine the focus of the workup for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of imaging in the workup of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of lab studies in the workup of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of CT scanning in the emergent workup for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of CT angiography (CTA) in the workup of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of SPECT scanning in the workup of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the benefits of MRI in the evaluation posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of ultrasonography in the evaluation of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of echocardiography in the evaluation of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of electrocardiography in the evaluation of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Treatment
How is the treatment approach for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke determined?
When is ICU admission indicated for treatment of acute posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are the goals of rehabilitation in patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What are activity restrictions during treatment posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
How is decreased mobility managed in patients with posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of endovascular therapy in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
When is endovascular therapy indicated for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the efficacy of endovascular therapy for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of rehabilitation in the management of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
When is physical therapy indicated in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of occupational therapy in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of speech therapy in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of recreational therapy in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is included in the monitoring of patients following a posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Who are interventions for prevention of recurrent posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke selected?
What are common prophylactic measures for posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
What is the role of statins in the prevention of recurrent posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke?
Medications
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Unenhanced head computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrating a subacute L posterior cerebral artery (PCA) infarct.
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Unenhanced head computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrating hemorrhagic conversion of an ischemic stroke, approximately 72 hours after symptom onset.
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Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrating acute stroke. Diffusion restriction is seen on diffusion-weighted imaging.
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Magnetic resonance (MR) angiogram demonstrating bilateral fetal posterior cerebral artery (PCA) variants (black arrows) with the basilar artery terminating in bilateral superior cerebellar arteries (blue arrows).
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Digital subtraction angiogram demonstrating an acute L posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion (red arrow) following balloon-assisted coiling of a basilar tip aneurysm.
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Digital subtraction angiogram demonstrating revascularization of acute L posterior cerebral artery (PCA) occlusion (red arrow) during a balloon-assisted basilar tip aneurysm revascularization with use of balloon angioplasty.
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Computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain showing hypodense areas in the right occipital lobe consistent with a recent posterior cerebral artery (PCA) ischemic infarct.