An acute ischemic stroke, also known as a brain attack, is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked, usually by a blood clot in one of the arteries supplying the brain. The lack of blood flow and oxygen can damage brain cells, leading to brain injury and disability or death.
The symptoms of an acute ischemic stroke can include sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, difficulty walking, dizziness or loss of balance, and severe headache.
Treatment for acute ischemic stroke usually involves restoring blood flow to the affected area of the brain as quickly as possible. This may be done with medications such as clot-busting drugs, or with a mechanical thrombectomy procedure, which involves using a catheter to physically remove the clot from the blocked artery. Now a days mechanical thrombectomy is standard treatment in large vessel occlusion.
Time is critical in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke, and patients should seek emergency medical care immediately if they experience any of the symptoms of a stroke. Early treatment can help minimize brain damage and improve outcomes. After treatment, rehabilitation may be necessary to help patients regain function and prevent future strokes.