cerebrovascular accident
A medical term for stroke, referring to sudden interruption of blood flow to the brain causing neurological deficits.
Full Definition
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) is a formal medical term for stroke, describing an acute interruption of blood supply to brain tissue resulting in neurological dysfunction. CVAs are classified as either ischemic (caused by blocked blood vessels) or hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding in the brain). The term appears frequently in medical documentation, insurance reports, and formal clinical communications, though many healthcare settings now prefer the term 'stroke' for its directness and patient understanding. In rehabilitation contexts, CVA documentation includes onset date, type, location, and resulting deficits, all critical for treatment planning and prognosis determination.
Usage
Usage note: CVA is formal medical terminology; 'stroke' is preferred in patient communication and increasingly in clinical notes.
In Context
- "The patient was admitted for acute rehabilitation following a left middle cerebral artery cerebrovascular accident." — Admission summary
- "Rehabilitation goals were established based on deficits resulting from the recent cerebrovascular accident." — Treatment plan