Understanding Occlusion of Cerebral Arteries: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

occlusion of cerebral artery is a condition in which there is a blockage in one of your arteries in the brain, causing an impairment in blood and oxygen supply to brain cells (ischemia). If blood supply does not return to normal quickly, it may cause permanent damage to brain tissue (known as ischemic stroke).
The blockage is usually caused by a blood clot that was formed either in the brain or traveled there from a distant place in your body (known as embolism). blood clots typically form in areas where the arteries have been narrowed over time by fatty deposits known as plaques (atherosclerosis). Another possible source for blood clots is a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation, that can cause blood clots to form in the heart.
Pieces of plaque can also break up and travel to your brain from a distant place, causing a blockage.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Cerebral Thrombosis Without Cerebral Infarction
- Cerebral Embolism
- Cerebral Thrombosis
- Cerebral Thrombosis with Cerebral Infarction

Signs & symptoms

Occlusion of cerebral artery may cause a TIA (transient ischemic event, in which the blockage resolve on its own), or an ischemic Stroke (in which permanent damage to brain tissue occurs).
Symptoms of both are similar, but the symptoms of TIA resolve completely by 24 hours without intervention, while those of a stroke don't.
Common Symptoms include:
* difficulty speaking or understanding language, slurred speech
* vision changes – double vision, temporary blindness, or visual deficits
* confusion
* weakness or numbness on just the right or left side of the face or body
* an altered level of consciousness
* balance issues
* dizziness and fainting
* an abnormal sense of taste or smell

Diagnosis

your doctor will perform a physical exam, including a full neurological exam to detect any neurological deficits.
A head CT or MRI scan can also help distinguish ischemic stroke from other conditions that cause neurological symptoms, such as a hemorrhage or a brain tumor. It should be noted that in the early stages of a stroke, CT will not necessarily show signs of an occlusion or brain cell death.
Once an occlusion of cerebral artery is diagnosed, a few tests can be performed in order to look for the root cause, including:
* ECG to look for abnormal heart rhythm
* Echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart, to look for blood clots in the heart that may travel to your brain.
* Doppler ultrasound of the carotid arteries in your neck to look for carotid stenosis (narrowing).
* Blood tests for cholesterol and clotting problems.

Treatment

it is very important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a stroke or a TIA.
The main treatment for ischemic stroke is intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which breaks up clots.
Another option for treatment is mechanical clot removal, known as thrombectomy, a procedure done through a catheter inserted to one of your arteries and up to the brain.
Later on you may get extra treatment according to the root cause of the occlusion, in addition to treatment aimed to reduce your risk of another event, such as medications to reduce blood cholesterol, blood thinners and more.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

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Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital