These strokes occur most frequently in young and middle aged adults and the very old. Symptoms have a sudden onset without warning. Management of embolic strokes include thrombolytic therapy, anticoagulants, and antiplatelet agents. Hypoxia Hypotension and decreased cardiac output may cause hypoperfusion in areas lying between major arteries in the brain. The ischemia is usually diffuse.
Management includes increasing the cardiac output and preventing cerebral edema.
Cerebral edema will increase intracranial pressure and further decrease blood flow. Hemorrhagic Strokes Hemorrhagic strokes cause neurological deficit due to the pressure of the excaping blood on the surrounding tissue. The expanded volume increases intracranial pressure and puts pressure directly on cerebral cells and vessels. The formation of a clot further increase the pressure, decreasing the blood supply and oxygen content available to cerebral tissue leading to cellular anoxia and cell death. Precipitating factors include vascular malformations, aneurysm, trauma, hypertension and clotting disorders.