Stroke Course

Lesson 1 • Epidemiology and Risk Factor Profiles

Presents global stroke burden, modifiable risk factors, and population disparities. Contextualizes prevention efforts within public health priorities.

Lesson 2 • Hemorrhagic Stroke Pathophysiology

Details hematoma expansion, perihematomal edema, and secondary injury after bleeding. Connects pathophysiology to monitoring and management priorities.

Lesson 3 • Stroke Classification and Subtypes

Distinguishes ischemic, hemorrhagic, and transient ischemic attack subtypes. Classification guides all downstream diagnostic and treatment decisions.

Lesson 4 • Pathophysiology of Ischemic Injury

Explains the ischemic cascade, penumbra concept, and cell death mechanisms. Understanding these processes justifies time-sensitive reperfusion strategies.

Lesson 1 • Prehospital Stroke Screening Tools

Introduces validated field assessment scales for lay and paramedic use. Screening accuracy directly affects triage speed and hospital pre-notification.

Lesson 2 • Time Metrics and System Activation

Defines key time benchmarks from symptom onset to treatment and their clinical impact. Learners understand how each minute of delay affects patient outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Emergency Medical Services Protocols

Outlines EMS dispatch, scene management, and transport decision-making for suspected stroke. Proper protocols minimize prehospital delay and optimize destination selection.

Lesson 1 • CT Angiography and Perfusion

Explains vessel occlusion identification and perfusion mismatch analysis on CTA and CTP. These modalities guide reperfusion eligibility beyond standard time windows.

Lesson 2 • Stroke Etiology Workup

Outlines cardiac, hematologic, and vascular investigations to determine stroke cause. Etiology drives secondary prevention strategy selection.

Lesson 3 • Vascular Imaging Beyond CT

Introduces ultrasound, digital subtraction angiography, and their roles in stroke workup. Each modality offers unique information for etiology and treatment planning.

Lesson 4 • MRI in Acute Stroke

Covers DWI, FLAIR, and MRA sequences for stroke diagnosis and timing. MRI provides superior sensitivity for small and posterior fossa infarcts.

Lesson 1 • Thrombolysis Monitoring and Complications

Covers post-thrombolysis neurological monitoring, blood pressure management, and hemorrhagic transformation recognition. Prompt complication detection prevents secondary harm.

Lesson 2 • Mechanical Thrombectomy Fundamentals

Explains patient selection, imaging criteria, and procedural steps for endovascular thrombectomy. Thrombectomy is the standard of care for large vessel occlusion stroke.

Lesson 3 • Antithrombotic Therapy in Acute Phase

Reviews antiplatelet and anticoagulation use in the acute ischemic stroke setting. Timing and agent selection depend on stroke mechanism and hemorrhagic risk.

Lesson 4 • Intravenous Thrombolysis Principles

Details mechanism, dosing, eligibility criteria, and contraindications for IV thrombolytics. Correct patient selection maximizes benefit and minimizes hemorrhagic risk.

Lesson 1 • Intracerebral Hemorrhage Initial Management

Covers blood pressure reduction, reversal of coagulopathy, and airway management in ICH. Rapid stabilization limits hematoma expansion and secondary injury.

Lesson 2 • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Management

Addresses aneurysm securing, vasospasm prevention, and delayed cerebral ischemia in SAH. Multidisciplinary coordination is essential for optimizing SAH outcomes.

Lesson 3 • Surgical Interventions for ICH

Reviews craniotomy, minimally invasive surgery, and external ventricular drain indications for ICH. Surgical timing and patient selection determine procedural benefit.

Lesson 4 • Intracranial Pressure Monitoring and Control

Explains ICP monitoring indications, waveform interpretation, and tiered treatment escalation. ICP management is central to preventing herniation in severe hemorrhagic stroke.

Lesson 1 • Neurological Monitoring Protocols

Covers standardized neurological assessment frequency, deterioration triggers, and escalation pathways. Consistent monitoring enables early detection of stroke progression or complications.

Lesson 2 • Venous Thromboembolism Prevention

Reviews mechanical and pharmacological VTE prophylaxis strategies specific to stroke patients. Balancing bleeding risk against thrombosis risk requires individualized decision-making.

Lesson 3 • Swallowing and Nutritional Management

Explains dysphagia screening, formal assessment, and nutritional support decisions after stroke. Aspiration prevention and adequate nutrition are foundational to recovery.

Lesson 4 • Stroke Unit Structure and Benefits

Defines stroke unit components, staffing models, and outcome advantages over general ward care. Organized stroke unit care independently reduces mortality and disability.

Lesson 1 • Carotid and Intracranial Revascularization

Explains carotid endarterectomy, stenting, and intracranial intervention indications for stroke prevention. Procedural benefit depends on stenosis severity, timing, and patient risk profile.

Lesson 2 • Blood Pressure and Lipid Management

Establishes blood pressure and lipid targets for stroke prevention and evidence supporting each agent class. Sustained control of these factors provides the greatest absolute risk reduction.

Lesson 3 • Anticoagulation for Cardioembolic Stroke

Covers oral anticoagulant selection, initiation timing, and monitoring for atrial fibrillation and other cardioembolic sources. Anticoagulation substantially reduces recurrent embolic stroke risk.

Lesson 4 • Lifestyle Modification and Risk Reduction

Addresses smoking cessation, physical activity, diet, and alcohol reduction as stroke prevention strategies. Behavioral interventions complement pharmacotherapy in comprehensive secondary prevention.

Lesson 1 • Early Mobilization and Physical Therapy

Covers timing, intensity, and safety of early mobilization and physical therapy after stroke. Appropriate early activity promotes recovery while avoiding physiological stress.

Lesson 2 • Neuroplasticity and Recovery Mechanisms

Explains cortical reorganization, synaptogenesis, and activity-dependent plasticity after stroke. Understanding recovery biology informs the design of effective rehabilitation interventions.

Lesson 3 • Upper Limb and Speech Rehabilitation

Reviews constraint-induced movement therapy, robotic assistance, and aphasia treatment approaches. Targeted upper limb and language therapy drives meaningful functional gains.

Lesson 4 • Discharge Planning and Community Reintegration

Outlines goal-setting, home modification, caregiver training, and community support for stroke survivors. Effective discharge planning bridges inpatient rehabilitation and long-term community living.