Embolic Stroke

Cerebral Arterial Anatomy

The major arteries to the right side of the brain are shown in lateral view. The left-sided arteries follow the same pattern, with the exception that the left carotid artery branches directly from the aorta.

Cerebral Arterial Anatomy

An inferior view of the circle of Willis. Blood enters the cerebral circulation through the vertebral and internal carotid arteries.

Cerebral Arterial Anatomy

The most frequent sites of arterial and cardiac abnormalities causing ischemic stroke.

Pathophysiology
Predisposing Factors
Personal or family history of stroke or heart attack. Age Sex race Diabetes Being overweight or obese Cardiovascular disease

Precipitating Factors
High blood pressure Diet Cigarette smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. Lifestyle. Use of birth control pills or hormone therapies that include estrogen. Alcohol and drug abuse. Hyperlipidemia

Pathophysiology
Atherosclerosis, obstruction of blood flow, narrowing of arteries, formation of thrombi or emboli on the walls of the heart.

The embolus travels quickly to the brain and becomes lodged in a smaller artery through which it cannot pass.

The emboli lodge to the mid cerebral artery and block the passage of blood to the brain.
Ischemia, Oxygen, Glucode depletion in the brain

Impairment of neuronal activities or cell death

Pathophysiology
Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body Confusion or change in mental status Trouble speaking or understanding speech Visual disturbances Difficulty walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination Sudden severe headache
Motor, sensory, cranial nerve, cognitive, and other functions may be disrupted.

Severe damage on the brain stem, respiratory center, etc.

Coma or death