Understanding Cerebrovascular Insults (Strokes) Course

Lesson 1 • Blood-Brain Barrier Physiology

Details the structure and function of the blood-brain barrier in normal and ischaemic states. Explains oedema formation and therapeutic targeting in stroke.

Lesson 2 • Cerebral Arterial Territories

Maps specific arterial territories to brain regions and their functional roles. Connects vascular anatomy to clinical deficits seen in stroke syndromes.

Lesson 3 • Venous Drainage and Sinuses

Describes cerebral venous drainage pathways and dural venous sinuses. Provides anatomical basis for understanding venous stroke and thrombosis.

Lesson 4 • Brain Blood Supply Overview

Covers the major arterial systems supplying the brain and their anatomical relationships. Establishes the vascular map essential for understanding stroke territory localisation.

Lesson 1 • Haemorrhagic Stroke Pathophysiology

Covers mechanisms of intracerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage, including haematoma expansion. Distinguishes haemorrhagic from ischaemic injury at the cellular level.

Lesson 2 • Penumbra and Infarct Core Concepts

Defines the ischaemic core and penumbra zones based on perfusion thresholds. Establishes the rationale for time-sensitive reperfusion therapies.

Lesson 3 • Ischaemic Cascade Mechanisms

Traces the sequence of cellular events following arterial occlusion and oxygen deprivation. Provides the mechanistic foundation for all ischaemic stroke interventions.

Lesson 4 • Thrombosis and Embolism Pathways

Explains arterial thrombosis, cardioembolism, and artery-to-artery embolism as stroke mechanisms. Links clot formation biology to stroke aetiology classification.

Lesson 1 • Rare and Uncommon Stroke Aetiologies

Identifies less common causes including dissection, vasculitis, and hypercoagulable states. Prevents diagnostic anchoring and ensures comprehensive aetiologic evaluation.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Mimics and Differential Diagnosis

Identifies conditions that clinically resemble stroke but have different aetiologies and treatments. Reduces misdiagnosis and inappropriate thrombolysis administration.

Lesson 3 • Transient Ischaemic Attack Recognition

Defines TIA by current tissue-based criteria and distinguishes it from minor stroke. Establishes TIA as a neurological emergency requiring urgent evaluation.

Lesson 4 • Ischaemic Stroke Subtypes

Categorises ischaemic stroke by mechanism using established classification systems. Enables accurate aetiologic diagnosis essential for treatment selection.

Lesson 1 • Posterior Circulation Stroke Syndromes

Covers brainstem, cerebellar, and occipital stroke presentations including crossed deficits. Highlights diagnostic challenges unique to posterior fossa strokes.

Lesson 2 • Lacunar Stroke Syndromes

Identifies classic lacunar syndromes from small vessel disease in deep brain structures. Distinguishes lacunar from cortical presentations to guide workup.

Lesson 3 • Haemorrhagic Stroke Clinical Features

Describes presenting features of intracerebral and subarachnoid haemorrhage distinguishing them from ischaemic stroke. Identifies clinical red flags requiring immediate imaging.

Lesson 4 • Anterior Circulation Stroke Syndromes

Describes clinical features of carotid territory strokes affecting motor, sensory, and language function. Connects deficit patterns to specific arterial occlusion sites.

Lesson 1 • Non-Contrast CT in Acute Stroke

Explains the role of non-contrast CT as the first-line imaging tool in acute stroke. Identifies early ischemic changes and hemorrhage on CT scans.

Lesson 2 • Laboratory and Hematologic Evaluation

Identifies essential blood tests for stroke workup including coagulation, metabolic, and hematologic panels. Supports etiologic classification and treatment safety assessment.

Lesson 3 • CT Angiography and Perfusion Imaging

Describes CTA for large vessel occlusion detection and CTP for penumbra assessment. Connects imaging findings to eligibility for endovascular intervention.

Lesson 4 • MRI Sequences in Stroke Diagnosis

Covers DWI, FLAIR, GRE, and perfusion MRI sequences and their diagnostic roles. Enables accurate lesion characterization and timing estimation.

Lesson 1 • Intravenous Thrombolysis Administration

Details alteplase and tenecteplase dosing, administration, and post-treatment monitoring. Manages complications including symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation.

Lesson 2 • Hemorrhagic Stroke Acute Management

Applies evidence-based protocols for blood pressure control, reversal of anticoagulation, and surgical decision-making in hemorrhagic stroke. Addresses hematoma expansion prevention.

Lesson 3 • Prehospital Stroke Recognition and Response

Covers prehospital stroke identification tools and emergency response protocols. Minimizes onset-to-door time through systematic field assessment and notification.

Lesson 4 • Emergency Department Stroke Protocols

Describes door-to-imaging and door-to-needle workflows in the emergency setting. Applies time metrics and team-based protocols to optimize thrombolysis eligibility.

Lesson 1 • Stroke Unit Organization and Monitoring

Describes the structure and evidence base for dedicated stroke unit care. Establishes continuous monitoring parameters that reduce early mortality and morbidity.

Lesson 2 • Dysphagia and Nutritional Management

Covers bedside swallowing screening, formal assessment, and nutritional support strategies. Prevents aspiration pneumonia, a leading cause of post-stroke mortality.

Lesson 3 • Urinary, Skin, and Infection Management

Addresses urinary catheter management, pressure injury prevention, and infection control in immobile stroke patients. Reduces hospital-acquired complications prolonging recovery.

Lesson 4 • Venous Thromboembolism Prevention

Applies pharmacological and mechanical VTE prophylaxis strategies in stroke patients. Balances bleeding risk against thrombotic risk in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

Lesson 1 • Vascular Risk Factor Modification

Targets hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking as primary modifiable stroke risk factors. Applies evidence-based targets and pharmacological strategies for each risk factor.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Rehabilitation Principles

Introduces neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation principles and multidisciplinary team roles in stroke recovery. Connects early mobilization and goal-setting to functional outcome improvement.

Lesson 3 • Antithrombotic Therapy Selection

Guides selection of antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy based on stroke mechanism and etiology. Applies evidence from major trials to individualize antithrombotic regimens.

Lesson 4 • Carotid Revascularization Decisions

Applies evidence-based criteria for carotid endarterectomy and stenting in symptomatic and asymptomatic stenosis. Integrates imaging findings with procedural risk assessment.