ISCHEMIA-INFARCTION

HEMORRHAGE

Stepwise progression

Common

Unusual

Reversible episodes

Common

Rare, if ever

CSF

     Blood

Rare (occasionally with embolus)

75%

     Elevated pressure

Rare

75%

     High pressure or blood

Rare

95%

Headache

Infrequent

Frequent, severe

     Nausea and vomiting

With vertebrobasilar occlusive disease

Common

Rapid loss of consciousness

10%

50%

Elevated blood pressure by history

50%

90%

Fundi:  papilledema

Rare

Common; can occur within 1/2 hour of catastrophe

     Subhyaloid hemorrhage

Rare

Common

Leukocytosis > 20,000

10%

50%

Fever

Uncommon

Common

Mortality

20-30%

75%-80%