A J Colon, C L Franke, P J Koehler Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery 1999, 101 (1): 1-3 10350194 We retrospectively evaluated the significance of making a chest X-ray in the acute stage of a stroke. Forty percent of the chest X-rays were of suboptimal quality. Abnormal chest X-rays were, in part, the reason for consultation of chest specialists in 5%. A chest X-ray in patients with acute stroke should only be performed if there is clinical suspicion of pulmonary or cardiac pathology, not as a routine.
An ambulance will take you straight to a hospital where you should be assessed as a priority. The doctors will do some tests to:
Everyone will need a different set of tests. Common tests include: Brain scansComputerised tomography (CT scan) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) take pictures of your brain that show areas of damage and swelling. Either a CT scan or MRI should be done urgently within the first 24 hours after a stroke. This is to work out the type of stroke (ischaemic or haemorrhagic). They may be repeated later to see how much of the brain has been affected by the stroke, or if you are getting worse. Heart testsAn electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test for abnormal heart rhythm or heart disease. This test is recommended for all stroke patients. An echocardiogram is an ultrasound to check for a clot or enlargement of a chamber in your heart. Blood testsThere is no specific blood test for stroke. Blood tests are used to rule out other medical conditions and help the doctors decide the best treatment. The most common blood tests will measure:
Other testsIn the early days in hospital, other tests that may be performed include:
Regular observations will also be taken to monitor blood pressure, pulse (heart rate), temperature, blood sugar levels, oxygen levels and breathing pattern. It is important that you ask questions during early testing after stroke, to help you understand the tests you have and the results. For example: What What is the test for and why is it being done? Who Who will be doing it? When When will I find out how it went? Explain Who will explain the results to me and/or my family? Depending on the test results, you may be given emergency treatment for the stroke.
A chest X-ray is a picture of the heart, lungs and bones of the chest. Why is it done?A chest X-ray can help your doctor determine if your heart is an unusual shape or if it is larger than it should be. It can also help confirm the presence of a valve disorder and provide important detailed information about your condition and its seriousness. Chest X-rays are useful for diagnosing an enlargement of the heart (cardiomyopathy) or heart failure. What can you expect?
Evaluation of routine postoperative chest X-rays in the management of the cardiac surgical patient. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1997 Nov;12(5):724-9. doi: 10.1016/s1010-7940(97)00132-2. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 1997. PMID: 9458143 Clinical Trial. |