Acute Ischemic Stroke Home A-Z Health Information Health Library A-Z Acute Ischemic Stroke Overview Acute ischemic stroke is a neurological pathology caused due toa blocked blood vessel in the brain, resulting in decreased blood flow and hence, reduced oxygen supply in the area supplied by that blood vessel. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical attention to reverse the symptoms and dissolve the clot. In severe cases, the condition can prove to be life threatening or result in permanent neurological deficit in the patient. Causes High blood pressure/ cholesterolObesityDiabetesSmoking habitsFamily history/ geneticsSleep disorders Risk factors High blood pressureHigh cholesterolDiabetesSmokingObesityFamily history/ geneticsSleep disorders Symptoms Sudden numbness or weakness in arm, face, or legDifficulty in talking with slurring of speechconfusion or imbalanceVisual disturbanceSevere headache Specialist to approach Neurologist/ Neurosurgeon/ Neuro-interventionist Diagnosis Computed tomography (CT)Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-brain with angiography of brainCT/ MRI perfusion2D Echo, Holter monitoring and blood tests to determine the underlying cause of stroke Treatment Thrombolysis of clot using injection alteplase or tenecteplase within 4.5 hours of symptom onsetSurgical treatment involves clot lysis or aspiration using thrombectomy devices within 24 hours of onset of symptomsMedical management is attempted the using blood thinner medications to minimize the risk of future episodes