What are the symptoms of cerebral embolism?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Brain embolism usually begins suddenly and develops rapidly, often reaching a peak in a very short time. This can cause patients to quickly become comatose or experience weakness in limbs on one side of the body, with some presenting with complete paralysis or speech impairments. These symptoms occur because a major blood vessel in the brain is blocked abruptly, leading to ischemia and tissue necrosis in the supplied area. Common sources of the emboli include plaques in the cervical arteries, where soft plaques can dislodge and form emboli that block cerebral vessels with the bloodstream. Alternatively, patients with atrial fibrillation may suffer from embolism when thrombi attached to the inner walls of the heart dislodge and block cerebral vessels through circulation. Brain embolism is generally a severe condition with a rapid onset.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Which department should I go to for a cerebral embolism?

The patient has experienced a cerebral embolism, and it is definitely recommended to seek appropriate medical care in neurology. Neurologists have seen many patients with cerebral embolism and have rich experience in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of this disease. The onset of cerebral embolism is quite severe, and patients generally may have a history of cardiac diseases, such as atrial fibrillation. It is crucial to go to the hospital as soon as possible if a cerebral embolism occurs. If within the time window for thrombectomy, such as within eight hours, relevant thrombectomy treatment can be performed. Additionally, some hospitals carry out thrombectomy treatments in neurosurgery or interventional departments. Therefore, if a cerebral embolism requires surgical treatment, one can also visit the interventional department or neurosurgery. After the condition of a cerebral embolism patient stabilizes, routine anticoagulation therapy is necessary to prevent a recurrence of the cerebral embolism.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Can people with cerebral embolism eat mutton?

Patients with cerebral embolism can eat lamb, but should do so in moderation and not excessively. This is because a common cause of cerebral embolism is the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the neck arteries, particularly soft plaques. When these soft plaques detach, they form an embolus that, carried by the bloodstream, can block cerebral vessels and cause a cerebral embolism. Thus, many of these patients often have hyperlipidemia, with a basis of arteriosclerosis and arterial plaques. Therefore, their diet should be low in salt and low in fat, and overall light. Foods that are overly greasy or high in fat should be avoided as much as possible, such as animal organs and fatty meats which are high in fat. Lamb can be eaten in proper amounts. Other dietary considerations include avoiding overly salty foods, as excessive salt intake can lead to increased blood pressure, further aggravating arteriosclerosis and arterial plaques, and leading to the onset of cerebral embolism.

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Can cerebral embolism be treated with thrombolysis?

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.

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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.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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symptoms of cerebral embolism

Cerebral embolism generally has a rapid onset and develops quickly, often occurring during physical activity. Within a short period of time, the condition can peak, and patients may experience sudden coma or complete paralysis of one side of the body, as well as aphasia, dementia, and cognitive dysfunction. Overall, the progression of the disease is very fast and can reach a peak in a short time. These patients often have underlying diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, which is a type of arrhythmia. In patients with atrial fibrillation, mural thrombi can form on the inner walls of the heart. These thrombi can detach and, carried by the bloodstream, block cerebral vessels, leading to cerebral embolism. Additionally, some patients have a foundation of arteriosclerosis, particularly in the carotid arteries, which can form plaques, especially soft plaques. When these plaques detach, they can form emboli that block cerebral vessels, causing cerebral embolism.