POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY STROKE

Course overview

POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY (PCA) STROKES CAN BE CHALLENGING TO DIAGNOSE, DUE TO THE VARIABILITY IN SYMPTOMS, WHICH MAY BE NONSPECIFIC AND INCONSISTENT UPON INITIAL PRESENTATION. THIS IS FURTHER COMPLICATED IN THAT PATIENTS ARE NOT ALWAYS AWARE OF THEIR SYMPTOMS, MAKING IT MORE DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH A TIMELINE. PCA STROKES CAN RESTRICT THE BLOOD SUPPLY OF MULTIPLE BRAIN REGIONS, INCLUDING THE OCCIPITAL LOBE, THE INFEROMEDIAL TEMPORAL LOBE, A LARGE PORTION OF THE THALAMUS, AND THE UPPER BRAINSTEM AND MIDBRAIN. THIS ACTIVITY EXAMINES THE PRESENTATION, EVALUATION, AND MANAGEMENT OF POSTERIOR CEREBRAL ARTERY STROKES AND STRESSES THE ROLE OF AN INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM APPROACH TO THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.