Disease that affects the blood vessels responsible for supplying blood to the brain. When the vessel is blocked by an embolism or thrombus, it is called an ischaemic stroke, and when the lesion is secondary to a rupture of the vessel, it is known as a haemorrhagic stroke.
There are factors that increase the risk of stroke: older age, family medical history, race or gender, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes and heart disease.
Symptoms related to middle cerebral artery involvement are: asymmetry of the face due to a deviation of the corner of the mouth, loss of strength on one side of the body, altered sensation on the same side (arm and leg), partial loss of vision and a shift of the gaze to one side. If the brain lesion is on the left side, there will also be language impairment; if it is on the right side, the patient will not recognise that they are ill.
Diagnosis is made clinically by questioning the patient and a physical examination. The study should be completed with a CT-scan.
Treatment in case of ischaemia must be applied within three hours of the onset of symptoms to avoid sequelae, and is considered a medical emergency. Medications will be administered to break up the thrombus or clot that is obstructing the blood vessel. In selected cases, endovascular treatment may be used to clear the blocked vessel from the inside. Patients with haemorrhage have a worse prognosis and may require surgical intervention.
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