Cerebrovascular accident

Definition: A sudden loss of neurological function secondary to hemorrhage or ischemia in the brain parenchyma due to a vascular event. Infarction or hemorrhage may be demonstrated either directly by imaging, laboratory, or pathologic examination in patients with symptom duration less than 24 hours, or inferred by symptoms lasting greater than or equal to 24 hours (or fatal within 24 hours) that cannot be attributed to another cause. Diagnostic tests include CT scan, MRI, angiography, and EEG to locate and evaluate the extent of the hemorrhagic or ischemic damage in the brain parenchyma, coagulation studies, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and urinalysis.

Synonyms (terms occurring on more labels are shown first): cerebrovascular accident, stroke, strokes, cerebral vascular accident, cerebrovascular accidents, apoplexy

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