Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS): Unraveling the Complexities of Acute Ischemic Stroke New Insights and Developments

Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS)


What is Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS)?


Acute ischemic stroke (AIS), commonly known as a stroke, occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly disrupted or reduced, preventing brain tissue from receiving oxygen and nutrients. The brain cells then begin to die. A stroke is a medical emergency that requires prompt treatment.

Symptoms of Acute Ischemic Stroke

The symptoms of AIS can be remembered with the acronym FAST:

Face: The face may become numb or droopy on one side.
Arms: One arm may become weak or numb.
Speech: Speech may become slurred or garbled.
Time: It's time to call emergency services immediately if any of these signs occur.

Some other common symptoms of Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) include sudden numbness, confusion, trouble seeing in one or both eyes, trouble walking, dizziness, or a severe headache. Often, symptoms happen on only one side of the body.

Causes and Risk Factors of Acute Ischemic Stroke

There are two main types of stroke — ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes, which account for about 87% of all strokes, occur when a blood clot blocks or plugs a blood vessel in the brain.

Some of the most common causes and risk factors for AIS include:

- High blood pressure. Consistently high blood pressure damages and weakens blood vessels over time.

- Heart disease. Conditions like atrial fibrillation, heart failure or a prior heart attack increase the risk of blood clots forming.

- Diabetes. High blood sugar levels over time can damage blood vessels.

- Smoking and obesity. Smoking attacks lining of arteries and obesity strains cardiovascular system.

- Older age. Risk doubles each decade after age 55.

- Excessive alcohol use. Binge drinking temporarily raises blood pressure and triglyceride levels.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke

If symptoms of a stroke occur, it's important to call emergency services right away to receive rapid diagnosis and treatment. At the hospital, CT scans and MRI imaging tests can confirm if a clot is causing the blockage and distinguish ischemic from hemorrhagic strokes.

The most important stroke treatment is clot-busting medication administered via IV. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can dissolve clots and re-establish blood flow if given within 4.5 hours of symptom onset. For some eligible patients, minimally invasive procedures like mechanical thrombectomy may also be used to remove larger clots.

Treating high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, high cholesterol and other risk factors can help prevent subsequent strokes. Lifestyle modifications like exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and diet, managing stress, and avoiding smoking are also beneficial. Ongoing rehabilitation and therapy may help recover lost functions.

Long-Term Effects of Acute Ischemic Stroke

While prompt treatment during a stroke aims to prevent permanent damage, some effects may continue long-term depending on the location and severity of the blockage in the brain.

Common long-term challenges after an AIS can include:

- Physical impairments. Weakness or paralysis on one side of the body is common. Walking difficulty, lack of coordination and pain may also persist.

- Speech and communication problems. Expressive aphasia makes it difficult to write or speak, while receptive aphasia impairs understanding of others.

- Cognitive issues. Memory loss, difficulty concentrating, decreased problem-solving skills may develop due to frontal lobe injuries.

- Emotional/behavioral changes. Stroke survivors may experience depression, personality changes, lack of motivation and mood swings.

- Post-stroke fatigue. Constant tiredness despite rest can negatively impact rehabilitation efforts.

- Epilepsy. Seizures occur in 5-10% of stroke patients due to permanent scar tissue formation in the brain.

With intensive and customized rehabilitation therapies, some function may be regained even years after a stroke. However, lifelong strategies and support systems are usually required to best manage stroke's long-term consequences.

acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide that requires immediate medical attention to treat. Understanding the symptoms, risk factors and available treatments can help reduce its impact at both individual and population levels through prevention and optimized emergency care outcomes post stroke. Although challenging, recovery is still possible with persistence and a multidisciplinary rehabilitative approach.

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About Author:

Priya Pandey is a dynamic and passionate editor with over three years of expertise in content editing and proofreading. Holding a bachelor's degree in biotechnology, Priya has a knack for making the content engaging. Her diverse portfolio includes editing documents across different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. Priya's meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset in the world of content creation and refinement.

(LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-pandey-8417a8173/)

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