| (TIAs
- ischemia): posterior circulation supplying occiptal cortex, cerebellum
and brainstem, less emboli than carotid territory, 25% of CVAs are
vertebrobasilar, male 66%, 8-12 minute duration; Clinical
- vertigo syncope, altered vision - diploplia, dysphagia, dysarthria,
facial paresthesias with possible contralateral extremity symptons
(pain and temperature), nystagmus, limb or truncal ataxia; Etiology
- atherosclerosis (risk - HTN, smoking, diabetes, hyperlipidemia,
age...), fibromuscular dysplasia, dissection of vertebral or basilar
artery, aneurysm; Labs - CBC, lytes,
glucose, BUN, creatinine, ESR, U/A, TFTs, PT/PTT, ECG, cardiac enzymes,
CXR, head CT (non contrast), MRI (more sensitive), MRA (magnetic
resonance angiography), transcranial doppler exam. |