Emboli Embolic strokes occur when clot fragments from the heart or a proximal artery are carried to the brain where they lodge in smaller vessels and occlude blood flow. There may be one large clot or numerous small clots. Numerous small areas of ischemia is termed a lacunar stroke. Risk factors include atrial fibrillation and carotid artery stenosis. 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.