For the list of clinical event adjudication definitions, click here

Editors-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

This chapter presents stroke definitions used in the Clinical Event Committee adjudication processes. These definitions are current as of 3/26/10.

Stroke[edit | edit source]

Stroke is an acute symptomatic episode of neurological dysfunction attributed to a vascular cause.

Classification[edit | edit source]

A. Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is defined as an acute symptomatic episode of focal cerebral, spinal, or retinal dysfunction caused by an infarction of central nervous system tissue.

B. Hemorrhagic Stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke is defined as an acute symptomatic episode of focal or global cerebral or spinal dysfunction caused by a nontraumatic intraparenchymal, intraventricular, or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

C. Undetermined Stroke

Undetermined stroke is defined as a stroke with insufficient information to allow categorization as A or B.

Stroke Disability[edit | edit source]

Stroke disability should be measured by a reliable and valid scale in all cases. For example, the modified Rankin Scale may be used to address this requirement:

References[edit | edit source]

1. ACC/AHA 2007 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Unstable Angina/Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee to Revise the 2002 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Unstable Angina/Non ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction): Developed in Collaboration with the American College of Emergency Physicians, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons: Endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Circulation, 2007, 116:803-877.
   
2. Campeau L, Grading of angina pectoris (letter), Circulation, 1976, 54:522-23.
   
3. Cutlip DE, S Windecker, R Mehran, A Boam, DJ Cohen, G-A van Es, PG Steg, M-A Morel, L Mauri, P Vranckx, E McFadden, A Lansky, M Hamon, MW Krucoff, PW Serruys and on behalf of the Academic Research Consortium, Clinical End Points in Coronary Stent Trials: A Case for Standardized Definitions, Circulation, 2007, 115:2344-2351.
   
4. Easton JD, Saver JL, Albers GW, Alberts MJ, Chaturvedi S, Feldmann E, Hatsukami TS, Higashida RT, Johnston SC, Kidwell CS, Lutsep HL, Miller E, Sacco RL; Definition and Evaluation of Transient Ischemic Attack, A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association; American Stroke Association Stroke Council; Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia; Council on Cardiovascular Radiology and Intervention; Council on Cardiovascular Nursing; and the Interdisciplinary Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease, Stroke, 2009 Jun; 40(6):2276-93. Epub 2009 May 7. Review.
   
5. Thygesen, Kristian, Alpert JS, White HD on behalf of the Joint ESC/ACCF/AHA/WHF Task Force for the Redefinition of Myocardial Infarction. Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, Circulation, 2007, 116:1-20.