Thrombotic Stroke: A Review of the Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management Strategies
Abstract
Thrombotic stroke is a type of stroke caused by a clot in a cerebral artery, resulting in a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Thrombotic stroke is the most common type of stroke and can have a range of clinical presentations. The diagnosis of thrombotic stroke is made based on the patient’s history, physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other tests. Treatment of thrombotic stroke involves a variety of strategies such as anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, and mechanical thrombectomy. This review focuses on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of thrombotic stroke.
Introduction
Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with thrombotic stroke being the most common type of stroke (Feigin et al., 2020). Thrombotic stroke is caused by the formation of a clot within an artery of the brain, resulting in reduced blood flow to the brain (Feigin et al., 2020). This decrease in blood flow can cause a wide range of clinical presentations, from mild symptoms to severe disability or death (Feigin et al., 2020). Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of thrombotic stroke is essential in order to prevent further damage and to improve patient outcomes. The purpose of this review is to discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management strategies of thrombotic stroke.
Clinical Presentation
The clinical presentation of thrombotic stroke can vary, depending on the location of the clot and the amount of brain tissue affected (Feigin et al., 2020). Symptoms can include sudden or gradual onset of weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body; slurred speech; difficulty speaking, understanding, or reading; confusion; visual disturbances; and dizziness or vertigo (Feigin et al., 2020). In some cases, the symptoms may be subtle or even absent, and they can progress over time (Feigin et al., 2020).
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of thrombotic stroke is based on the patient’s history, physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other tests (Feigin et al., 2020). A neurological exam is performed to assess the patient’s level of consciousness, speech, vision, and motor function (Feigin et al., 2020). Laboratory tests are used to assess the patient’s clotting profile, as well as to rule out other possible causes of the patient’s symptoms (Feigin et al., 2020). Imaging studies such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to identify areas of brain damage and to detect the presence of a clot (Feigin et al., 2020). In some cases, other tests such as echocardiography or angiography may be used to further evaluate the patient’s condition (Feigin et al., 2020).
Management Strategies
The treatment of thrombotic stroke involves a variety of strategies, depending on the patient’s clinical presentation and the severity of the stroke (Feigin et al., 2020). Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment for thrombotic stroke, and it is used to prevent the formation of new clots or to reduce the size of existing clots (Feigin et al., 2020). Thrombolytic therapy is used in some cases, and it involves the use of medications to dissolve clots and restore blood flow to the brain (Feigin et al., 2020). Mechanical thrombectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that is used to remove large clots from the brain (Feigin et al., 2020). In some cases, a combination of therapies may be used to treat the patient.
Conclusion
Thrombotic stroke is a common cause of stroke, resulting in decreased blood flow to the brain and a wide range of clinical presentations. Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment of thrombotic stroke is essential in order to prevent further damage and to improve patient outcomes. The diagnosis of thrombotic stroke is based on the patient’s history, physical exam, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and other tests. Treatment of thrombotic stroke involves a variety of strategies such as anticoagulation, thrombolytic therapy, and mechanical thrombectomy.
References
Feigin, V. L., Rothstein, J. L., Mensah, G. A., Parmar, P., Norrving, B., & Johnston, S. C. (2020). Global and regional burden of stroke during 1990–2017: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet Neurology, 19(3), 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(19)30413-8