What is a cerebral infarction?

Written by Wang Li Bing

Intensive Care Medicine Department

Updated on March 25, 2025

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Brain infarction is also relatively common in clinical practice, mainly seen in elderly people, generally accompanied by underlying diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. Brain infarction is primarily caused by the blockage of cerebral blood vessels, leading to necrosis of brain tissue due to ischemia and hypoxia. After a brain infarction occurs, patients should seek medical attention in a timely manner and be admitted to the department of neurology or neurosurgery for systematic drug treatment. If the infarction area is large or a brain herniation has formed, surgical intervention should be considered, such as decompressive craniectomy and lowering intracranial pressure.

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Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

1min 19sec

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What foods should not be eaten in the case of a cerebral infarction?

Stroke refers to the necrosis of brain tissue, causing a series of neurological functional deficit symptoms. The dietary requirements for stroke must be determined comprehensively based on the patient's own condition and underlying diseases. For instance, common risk factors for stroke include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and elevated homocysteine levels, along with unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking. If the patient has hypertension, a light diet should be emphasized. If they have hyperlipidemia, fatty foods should be avoided in favor of a low-fat diet. In cases of high homocysteine levels, it is advisable to consume foods rich in vitamins. Additionally, if the patient has diabetes, they must adhere to a diabetic and low-sugar diet. Therefore, what food can be consumed depends on the patient's underlying diseases and the symptoms of the stroke. If the patient has swallowing difficulties, care must be taken to avoid hard foods as this could lead to choking and potentially cause a lung infection. Thus, the patient's individual condition must be taken into account when deciding their diet.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

38sec

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How long does one need to be hospitalized for a cerebral infarction?

The duration of hospitalization for cerebral infarction varies from person to person, depending on the different conditions of the stroke patients, the different causes of the stroke, and the different treatment goals. Generally, the hospitalization time is seven to fourteen days. If the condition of the cerebral infarction is relatively mild, it is also possible to be discharged in five to seven days. However, for some patients with severe conditions, even those who are in a coma or have complications, the hospitalization time will be longer.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

33sec

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Brain infarction refers to the condition.

A cerebral infarction, commonly abbreviated, is typically referred to in full as thrombotic cerebral infarction or cerebral thrombosis. The most common cause is the formation of a local thrombus or from distant sites, such as the heart or major blood vessels, causing ischemia, hypoxia, and other disturbances in the cerebral blood supply. This results in localized ischemic necrosis or softening of brain tissue, leading to corresponding neurological deficits and signs.

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Written by Tang Bo

Neurology

1min 12sec

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Cerebral infarction X-ray manifestations

Brain infarction generally does not involve X-rays because X-rays primarily target bone issues, not brain tissue issues. If a brain infarction occurs, a cranial CT or MRI can be performed. In acute cases of sudden onset, a cranial CT is primarily used to exclude cerebral hemorrhage, as brain infarction typically does not show up in the acute phase. However, in cases of extensive brain infarction, changes might also appear on a CT during the acute phase. Additionally, after the acute phase, about 1 day or 24 hours later, brain infarctions generally appear as low-density shadows on a CT. On an MRI, in diffusion imaging, brain infarctions generally appear as high-density, high-signal areas, while they appear as low-signal areas in T1 imaging and high-signal areas in T2 imaging. It is also suggested to perform cranial magnetic resonance angiography to examine the status of the blood vessels.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

2min 10sec

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Nursing Measures for Patients with Cerebral Infarction

The nursing measures for stroke patients vary according to different conditions. During the acute phase, the primary concern is life-threatening infections, while during the recovery and residual stages, the focus is on preventing various complications and risks. The care measures are categorized as follows: The first is dietary care. Relatives of stroke patients should be reminded that the diet should be light, low in fat, and high in fiber, following the principle of eating small meals frequently. The second is maintaining clear airways, preventing colds, especially tuberculosis, and ensuring that someone watches over the patient at all times. The third is the prevention of bedsores, assisting and maintaining regular patient turning and moderate activity. The fourth involves preventing burns, bruises, falls, and other injuries by creating a safe and comfortable environment for the patient, ensuring their safety and that there are no hazardous objects in the room. The fifth is preventing constipation which can be aided by abdominal massage and eating foods high in fiber. The sixth is preventing urinary tract infections, timely changing diapers for those patients who can urinate independently, or ensuring sterile techniques for those with catheters. The seventh is preventing falls from the bed, especially for those who are restless; installation of bed rails and other safety measures should be considered. The eighth concerns psychological care since many patients tend to become pessimistic and disappointed post-illness. Family members should be caring and provide comfort and encouragement to the patients. The ninth general care measure involves daily oral care with saline solution or brushing teeth every morning and evening, bathing the patient once or twice a week, and daily cleansing of the genital area.