Can cerebral embolism be treated with thrombolysis?

Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
Updated on September 10, 2024
00:00
00:00

For patients with cerebral embolism, if the onset is not particularly severe and the area of the embolism is not very large, for example, if the patient's consciousness is still clear, then thrombolysis can still be feasible. It is now also relatively advocated because the risk of cerebral hemorrhage is relatively small in such cases. However, if the area of the cerebral embolism is large, especially if the patient has fallen into a coma or other consciousness disorders, and shows conjugate gaze palsy, then the risk of thrombolysis is very high, and there is a very likely risk of conversion to cerebral hemorrhage. In such cases, thrombolysis is not recommended, and arterial thrombectomy can be performed instead, which can greatly save the patient's life and improve the quality of life. Besides thrombolysis and thrombectomy, anticoagulant therapy should also be administered after the condition stabilizes, as most cases of cerebral embolism are caused by atrial fibrillation, and anticoagulant therapy can prevent future attacks.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
49sec home-news-image

Can people with cerebral embolism run?

Patients with cerebral embolism can jog moderately, but walking is highly recommended. This is because the common source of the embolus in cerebral embolism patients is a mural thrombus in the heart. The common causes of mural thrombus formation include arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. Therefore, patients with cerebral embolism, who may also have coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, or cardiac mural thrombus, are not well-suited for running, which is a relatively intense form of exercise. They can jog moderately, but the distance and duration should not be too long. The most recommended form of exercise is walking. Walking is the best form of exercise to prevent worsening the condition after running, and it could also exacerbate coronary artery disease conditions.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 12sec home-news-image

How many days for brain embolism infusion?

Cerebral embolism is a particularly dangerous disease that is very concentrated. It primarily refers to the entry of abnormal substances into the arteries, leading to the occlusion of the cerebral arteries and causing corresponding clinical manifestations in patients. Symptoms may include disturbances in consciousness, coma, limb paralysis, numbness, slurred speech, and even possibly seizures. The most common cause of cerebral embolism is atrial fibrillation. Treatment generally requires hospitalization for intravenous infusion. If the condition is relatively stable, an infusion lasting about 10 to 14 days may suffice, followed by administration of anticoagulant drugs for treatment. If the area affected by the cerebral embolism is very large and the patient is in severe danger, infusion treatment may need to last about 3 to 4 weeks. The specific approach should be based on the patient's condition. Additionally, certain medications to reduce dehydration and intracranial pressure, as well as neuroprotective drugs, should be administered. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Li Li
Neurology
1min 17sec home-news-image

What department should one go to for a cerebral embolism?

Patients with cerebral embolism should visit the department of neurology. Cerebral embolism is not a special disease but rather one type of cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction generally includes two types: cerebral thrombosis and cerebral embolism. The former refers to the formation of a thrombus at the site of the vessel occlusion. The latter involves a thrombus originating from another location, which blocks the vessel at the infarct site. The sources of such thrombi are varied, with the most common being from the heart, frequently seen in patients with long-term chronic atrial fibrillation. This condition forms a mural thrombus in the atrium, which, during episodes of atrial fibrillation, can detach, be flushed by the blood stream into the brain, and cause cerebral embolism. Secondly, it occurs in cardiac valve diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, mitral valve alterations, and others. There are also some other sources of thrombi, such as tumor-induced cancer, amniotic fluid embolism in pregnant women, and fat embolism in patients with fractures.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
1min 3sec home-news-image

Is cerebral embolism the same as cerebral infarction?

Brain embolism is a form of cerebral infarction, so essentially, it is also a type of cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction encompasses a wider range, including cerebral thrombosis, lacunar infarction, watershed infarction, and others. Brain embolism primarily refers to abnormal substances entering the bloodstream, which then enter the arteries of the brain, causing obstruction in these arteries and leading to ischemia and hypoxia of the brain tissue, thus presenting clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction. The onset of the condition in patients is quite severe, rapidly leading to paralysis of limbs and disorders of speech function. In cases of extensive brain embolism, patients may even experience coma and death as serious complications. Most patients with brain embolism have a history of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of mural thrombi, and when these thrombi dislodge, they can cause brain embolism.