How to treat cerebral embolism?

Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
Updated on February 07, 2025
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Brain embolism generally blocks relatively larger cerebral blood vessels and often leads to extensive death of brain cells. Therefore, patients with brain embolism are primarily treated with medications that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis to improve circulation. Additionally, patients with brain embolism often experience an increase in intracranial pressure, so it is necessary to use medications that reduce intracranial pressure and alleviate brain cell edema. Patients with brain embolism might experience disturbances in consciousness and are prone to develop aspiration pneumonia or dependent pneumonia, so anti-infection medications may be utilized for treatment. Some may also suffer from stress-related gastrointestinal ulcers, or even gastrointestinal ulcer bleeding, thus requiring medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. Other treatments target the cause of the condition. A common cause is the detachment of carotid artery plaques, therefore, medications that prevent arteriosclerosis and stabilize plaques are also used. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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What are the symptoms of cerebral embolism?

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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Does cerebral embolism require surgery?

Most cases of cerebral embolism in patients are caused by heart diseases, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation. Thrombi form in the atrium, detach, and travel to the cerebral arteries, causing a cerebral embolism. If the area affected by the cerebral embolism is small and the symptoms are mild, surgical treatment may not be necessary. Patients should rest, engage in rehabilitation exercises, and be treated with medications that invigorate the blood, remove blood stasis, protect brain cells, and use anticoagulants. However, if the embolism affects a large area, such as the middle cerebral artery, interventional surgical thrombectomy can be performed according to current medical advancements, which may be effective for some patients but also carries risks of bleeding and potential surgical failure. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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How many days for brain embolism infusion?

Cerebral embolism is a particularly dangerous disease that is very concentrated. It primarily refers to the entry of abnormal substances into the arteries, leading to the occlusion of the cerebral arteries and causing corresponding clinical manifestations in patients. Symptoms may include disturbances in consciousness, coma, limb paralysis, numbness, slurred speech, and even possibly seizures. The most common cause of cerebral embolism is atrial fibrillation. Treatment generally requires hospitalization for intravenous infusion. If the condition is relatively stable, an infusion lasting about 10 to 14 days may suffice, followed by administration of anticoagulant drugs for treatment. If the area affected by the cerebral embolism is very large and the patient is in severe danger, infusion treatment may need to last about 3 to 4 weeks. The specific approach should be based on the patient's condition. Additionally, certain medications to reduce dehydration and intracranial pressure, as well as neuroprotective drugs, should be administered. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Hui
Neurology
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Is cerebral embolism the same as cerebral infarction?

Brain embolism is a form of cerebral infarction, so essentially, it is also a type of cerebral infarction. Cerebral infarction encompasses a wider range, including cerebral thrombosis, lacunar infarction, watershed infarction, and others. Brain embolism primarily refers to abnormal substances entering the bloodstream, which then enter the arteries of the brain, causing obstruction in these arteries and leading to ischemia and hypoxia of the brain tissue, thus presenting clinical symptoms of cerebral infarction. The onset of the condition in patients is quite severe, rapidly leading to paralysis of limbs and disorders of speech function. In cases of extensive brain embolism, patients may even experience coma and death as serious complications. Most patients with brain embolism have a history of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of mural thrombi, and when these thrombi dislodge, they can cause brain embolism.

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Written by Liu Yan Hao
Neurology
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Initial symptoms of cerebral embolism

The initial characteristics of cerebral embolism generally include a sudden onset and rapid progression of the condition. It often occurs during physical activity, with the condition reaching a peak in a very short time. Typically, within a short period, this can lead to complete paralysis of limbs on one side, complete loss of speech in some cases, and severe cases may quickly progress into a coma. The development of the condition is quite rapid. Common sources of emboli in cerebral embolism include mural thrombi from the heart and detached plaques from the carotid artery. Carotid artery plaques, especially soft plaques, are prone to detachment, forming emboli that block the cerebral vessels and cause cerebral embolism. Additionally, patients with arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation can easily form mural thrombi on the inner walls of the heart. Once a thrombus detaches, it can block cerebral vessels, leading to cerebral embolism. The affected area in cerebral embolism is relatively large, and the condition is quite severe.