NEUROLOGY
Etiology
Thrombotic (atherosclerosis)
Embolic (AFib, carotid disease)
Small vessel (lacunar)
Pathogenesis
Vascular occlusion → reduced cerebral blood flow → neuronal ischemia
Infarction develops within minutes
Penumbra = salvageable tissue
Clinical Features
Sudden focal neurological deficits (weakness, aphasia, vision loss)
FAST symptoms
Possible carotid bruit
Treatment
tPA within 4.5 hours
Mechanical thrombectomy (large vessel)
Antiplatelets (aspirin)
Statins
Control BP and glucose