Essential Facts on the Go: Internal Medicine (38 page)

Note about agitation

Benzodiazepines are not recommended for elderly patients

Consider haldol or atypical antipsychotic medication

IX_2_a
Cerebrovascular Accidents

Major Mechanisms That Underlie Ischemic Stroke

In situ thrombosis of an intracranial vessel, typically affecting the small penetrating arteries that arise from the major intracranial arteries.

Hypoperfusion caused by flow-limiting stenosis of a major extracranial (e.g., internal carotid) or intracranial vessel, often producing “watershed” ischemia.

Occlusion of an intracranial vessel by an embolus that arises at a distant site (e.g., cardiogenic sources such as atrial fibrillation or artery-to-artery emboli from carotid atherosclerotic plaque), often affecting the large intracranial vessels.

Reproduced with permission from Longo DL, et al.
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine
, 18th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2012.

Administration of Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator (rtPA) for Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS)

IX_2_b
Cerebral Spinal Fluid

CSF Characteristics in Selected Conditions

Adapted with permission from Gomella, LG, Haist SA.
Clinician’s Pocket Reference
, 11th ed., McGraw-Hill, 2007.

IX_3_a
Dermatomes: Anterior View

Reproduced with permission from Greenberg DA, et al.
Clinical Neurology
, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2012.

IX_3_b
Dermatomes: Posterior View

Reproduced with permission from Greenberg DA, et al.
Clinical Neurology
, 8th ed. McGraw-Hill, 2012.

IX_4 _a
Visual Field Defects