top of page

The Cincinnati Stroke Scale - Oren Zarif - Cincinnati Stroke Scale

  • Writer: Oren Zarif
    Oren Zarif
  • May 30, 2022
  • 3 min read

The Cincinnati stroke scale is a score developed to predict the risk of a stroke. It is based on three criteria for stroke: facial droop, dysarthria, and upper extremity weakness. It was tested by examining hospitalized patients with acute neurologic symptoms. The sensitivity and specificity of the Cincinnati scale were evaluated using SPSS version 20. The accuracy of the score was measured using kappa coefficient.

Oren Zarif brain stroke symptoms

Oren Zarif mild stroke symptoms


First responders use the prehospital Cincinnati Stroke Scale to assess a patient for a possible stroke. The scale asks the patient to smile while the healthcare provider evaluates their facial movement. If both sides move equally, this is considered normal. If one side moves more than the other, that is considered abnormal. Facial droop or drift to one side are indicators of a stroke. These symptoms should prompt further diagnostics.

Oren Zarif cryptogenic stroke

Oren Zarif eye stroke


Other signs of a stroke include facial droop, lowered eyelids, and impaired speech. A patient's blood glucose level should be checked as part of the CPSS. Another symptom of stroke is facial droop. If the patient can't speak, they should be checked using the Altered Mental Status M-05. The Cincinnati Stroke Scale also assesses facial droop and arm drift. An abnormal score increases the risk of a stroke.

Oren Zarif stroke recovery

Oren Zarif hypoxic brain injury



EMS report forms and paramedic narratives document a patient's symptoms. Documentation of CPSS, such as facial droop, speech deficit, arm drift, and grip strength, is considered evidence. The results of these narratives are compared to the final diagnosis of the patient in a hospital stroke registry. In general, the hospital stroke registry reflects the results of routine clinical evaluations. The results were not surprisingly similar.

Oren Zarif sun stroke symptoms

Oren Zarif cerebral stroke


In general, symptoms of a stroke include difficulty walking, a numb or tingling sensation, and loss of vision or coordination. Despite this, the CPSS has 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity, making it an effective tool for identifying stroke patients before they are admitted to the hospital. About 20% of strokes are hemorrhagic, resulting from high blood pressure or a brain aneurysm.

Oren Zarif cerebellar stroke

Oren Zarif minor stroke


In recent years, several screening tools have been developed to better predict patients with large vessel occlusion. In a systematic review of the literature, Antipova D, Steinberg JA, and Broderick J examined the CPSS and its corresponding accuracy in the diagnosis of acute stroke. The study also identified the most important factors associated with large vessel occlusion and discussed its limitations and benefits. It also recommended improvements to the CPSS.

Oren Zarif head trauma

Oren Zarif cva medical



The CPSS is recommended for use by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to identify patients with suspected stroke. However, limited research has evaluated whether CPSS training improved paramedics' ability to identify stroke patients and how long they spent on scene. A recent study compared the results of the CPSS with a hospital prospective stroke registry to assess the reproducibility of the tool. It was found that paramedics' accuracy in stroke and TIA identification was higher when the CPSS was used by paramedics.

Oren Zarif brain swelling

Oren Zarif stroke prevention


The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) is a three-item standardized instrument that is widely used by EMS providers. It is easy to learn and fast to administer. Its sensitivity and specificity make it useful for identifying patients with possible stroke or AIS with thrombolysis. Its reproducibility was tested by two physicians who are certified in the NIH stroke scale and a team of paramedics and EMTs.

Oren Zarif jill bolte taylor

Oren Zarif frontal lobe damage


The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale (CPSS) is a simplified version of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. It assesses facial palsy, arm weakness, and speech abnormalities. Prehospital care providers were instructed in the use of the C-STAT and were then given verbal instructions. A recent study showed that CPSS and FAST were useful in detecting stroke severity and determining if a patient should receive further treatment.

Comments


bottom of page