Symptoms and manifestations of cerebral embolism

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 28, 2024
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The so-called cerebral embolism primarily refers to the presence of abnormal substances in the arteries, which block the smaller arteries leading to arterial occlusion, causing severe cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in the necrosis of brain tissue. It generally occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation, where atrial fibrillation can form larger emboli that detach from the heart and can easily cause cerebral embolism. The symptoms of the onset are very sudden and rapidly reach their peak. Patients may experience coma and consciousness disorders, fixed staring of the eyes, paralysis of limbs, numbness of limbs, and an inability to sense pain and temperature in the limbs. Additionally, some may experience epileptic seizures and urinary and fecal incontinence. Cerebral embolism is a very dangerous disease, and once these symptoms appear, it is crucial to seek hospital treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 5sec home-news-image

Can cerebral embolism be treated with thrombolysis?

Cerebral embolism is a relatively common ischemic cerebrovascular disease. If the area of cerebral embolism is very large and it exceeds the time window for thrombolysis, and if the patient is elderly with multiple underlying diseases, then thrombolysis is not recommended. Patients with large-area cerebral embolism have a higher probability of transitioning to cerebral hemorrhage, thus the risk of thrombolysis is very high. However, if it is within the time window for arterial thrombectomy, it is advocated to undergo arterial thrombectomy treatment. Family members can communicate more with the doctor to choose the appropriate treatment plan. If the symptoms of cerebral embolism are relatively mild, the affected area is considered small, and it is within three hours, then intravenous thrombolysis treatment could be considered. Patients undergoing intravenous thrombolysis must ensure that a cranial CT is rechecked within 24 hours to exclude any secondary bleeding.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
1min 15sec home-news-image

How to treat cerebral embolism?

Brain embolism generally blocks relatively larger cerebral blood vessels and often leads to extensive death of brain cells. Therefore, patients with brain embolism are primarily treated with medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to improve circulation. Additionally, patients with brain embolism often experience an increase in intracranial pressure, so it is necessary to use medications that reduce intracranial pressure and alleviate brain cell edema. Patients with brain embolism might experience disturbances in consciousness and are prone to develop aspiration pneumonia or dependent pneumonia, so anti-infection medications may be utilized for treatment. Some may also suffer from stress-related gastrointestinal ulcers, or even gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding, thus requiring medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. Other treatments target the cause of the condition. A common cause is the detachment of carotid artery plaques, therefore, medications that prevent arteriosclerosis and stabilize plaques are also used. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min home-news-image

Symptoms and manifestations of cerebral embolism

The so-called cerebral embolism primarily refers to the presence of abnormal substances in the arteries, which block the smaller arteries leading to arterial occlusion, causing severe cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, and resulting in the necrosis of brain tissue. It generally occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation, where atrial fibrillation can form larger emboli that detach from the heart and can easily cause cerebral embolism. The symptoms of the onset are very sudden and rapidly reach their peak. Patients may experience coma and consciousness disorders, fixed staring of the eyes, paralysis of limbs, numbness of limbs, and an inability to sense pain and temperature in the limbs. Additionally, some may experience epileptic seizures and urinary and fecal incontinence. Cerebral embolism is a very dangerous disease, and once these symptoms appear, it is crucial to seek hospital treatment as soon as possible.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Which department should I go to for a cerebral embolism?

For most hospitals, registration for cerebral embolism requires a visit to the Department of Neurology, which is the most specialized department for treating cerebral embolism. Cerebral embolism generally has corresponding causes, with the most common being heart diseases. For example, conditions such as old myocardial infarction or atrial fibrillation can easily form mural thrombi. These thrombi can detach, enter the cranial arteries through circulation, and cause cerebral embolism, leading to severe clinical consequences. The onset of the disease is very aggressive, quickly reaching a peak and resulting in limb paralysis or even consciousness disorders, requiring emergency treatment. If it is within the thrombolytic time window, intravenous thrombolytic therapy can be administered after assessment. However, one must be cautious of the risk of hemorrhagic transformation during thrombolysis for cerebral embolism. If within a certain timeframe, arterial thrombectomy can also be performed, and many in the Department of Neurology are capable of conducting such surgeries.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Guidelines for Thrombolytic Therapy for Cerebral Embolism

Cerebral embolism is a particularly dangerous type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Patients present with a very abrupt onset, typically with a history of atrial fibrillation. Acute onset rapidly leads to limb paralysis, and may also cause disturbances in consciousness and seizures, among other clinical manifestations. Current guidelines for thrombolytic treatment of cerebral embolism do not address extensive cerebral embolism, as thrombolysis in extensive cerebral embolism carries a certain risk of bleeding and is not generally advocated in clinical practice. Mainly, arterial thrombectomy treatment can be administered within an eight-hour window, which can provide significant therapeutic effects for some patients. Additionally, if the cerebral embolism is considered small and the patient's consciousness is relatively intact, intravenous thrombolytic treatment can be given. The time window for intravenous thrombolysis is generally within four and a half hours, so it is crucial to get to a hospital as quickly as possible in the event of a suspected cerebral embolism.