Premonitory symptoms of cerebral infarction recurrence

Written by Gao Yi Shen
Neurosurgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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The symptoms preceding the recurrence of a cerebral infarction mainly involve observing the symptoms presented during the initial incidence of the stroke. In many cases, the recurrent symptoms are very similar to those initially experienced. For example, if dizziness was a symptom during the previous episode, then dizziness could also be a precursor symptom in a recurrence, with similar nature and intensity of dizziness as before. Additionally, if previous symptoms included limb numbness, weakness, or speech impairment, similar signs might precede a recurrence. Clinically, it is imperative to address these issues before an actual recurrence occurs, such as actively pursuing antiplatelet aggregation therapy, lipid-lowering, and stabilizing plaques, and resorting to surgical treatment if necessary, to better reduce the chances of stroke recurrence.

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Is a brain infarction dangerous?

The risk associated with a cerebral infarction primarily depends on the extent and location of the infarction. If the infarction is small and located in less critical areas of brain function such as the frontal or temporal lobes, the symptoms may not be severe and might only include dizziness and sleepiness. If the infarction is extensive and occurs in crucial areas such as the basal ganglia, thalamus, or brainstem, the symptoms can be very severe. This could potentially lead to hemiplegia, aphasia, and even coma or death.

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Can a cerebral infarction be cured?

Stroke is the most common cerebrovascular disease. It occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the brain become blocked, leading to ischemic necrosis of the brain tissue in that region. This results in a series of neurological deficits. Theoretically, once a stroke has occurred, it cannot be completely cured because brain cells are non-regenerative. Once they die, they cannot be revived, and the function of the neurons in that area is completely lost. However, the significance of acute phase treatment lies in the rescue of the ischemic penumbra. The function of these cells can be restored after treatment, and thereafter, they may compensate for the function of the central necrotic area. Thus, patients who receive treatment may regain some neurological functions. Another condition is that the patient must be brought to the hospital within 4.5 hours of the onset of symptoms. If there are no clear contraindications, RT-PA intravenous thrombolytic treatment can be administered. The success rate of this thrombolysis is relatively high, and about 30% of patients may be fully cured without any sequelae.

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What is a cerebral infarction?

Cerebral infarction is essentially a manifestation of ischemic necrosis of nerve cells. However, in clinical practice, there are many factors that can cause cerebral infarction. It is essential to treat the underlying causes to effectively prevent the further occurrence and progression of cerebral infarction. One characteristic of nerve cells is that once necrosis occurs, they cannot regenerate. Consequently, all patients who suffer from cerebral infarction may have some residual neurological deficits. Mild symptoms include headaches and dizziness, while severe cases may experience numbness and weakness in the limbs, speech impairments, and even more severe conditions such as a vegetative state or death. Therefore, in the case of cerebral infarction, it is crucial to focus on prevention early on to reduce the extent of necrosis. This can effectively ensure one's safety and reduce the occurrence of various complications and sequelae.

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What tests are done for a cerebral infarction?

For patients with cerebral infarction, it is recommended to take the patient to a local hospital for timely treatment during the acute phase. A cranial CT scan or MRI should be performed to help assess the current situation. Cranial MRI plays an important auxiliary diagnostic role in identifying the specific location, extent, and severity of the cerebral infarction. It is advised to perform a cranial MRI during the acute phase for a clear diagnosis, and then decide the next step of the treatment plan based on the situation. Within the surgical window, thrombolytic therapy can be applied to achieve dissolution of the clot. If the optimal timing for thrombolysis has been missed, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized to receive treatment, including intravenous drips, brain-nourishing drugs, nerve nutrition, and medications that invigorate blood circulation and remove blood stasis, to help improve the state of ischemia and hypoxia in the brain tissue.

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Causes of cerebral infarction

There are many causes of cerebral infarction, but the most common in clinical practice is the narrowing or occlusion of the carotid artery. Since the brain is supplied by four blood vessels, any issues with any of these vessels can potentially lead to a cerebral infarction. Conditions commonly known as the "three highs"—high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol—can easily lead to narrowing or even blockage of the blood vessels. Thus, these factors are fundamentally the cause. Additionally, smoking and drinking can also lead to vascular narrowing and cause cerebral infarction. In some special cases, autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation inside the vessels, leading to narrowing. Other causes include arterial tears due to trauma, which can lead to ischemia and infarction, or abnormal blood supply due to arrhythmias causing cerebral infarction.