Ischaemic Stroke - Diagnosis & Treatment

Symptoms & Causes Diagnosis & Treatment

How is an ischaemic stroke diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves:

Physical examination, including assessment of symptoms and medical history.
Imaging tests such as Computed Tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and carotid ultrasound to identify the location and cause of the stroke.
Blood tests to check for underlying conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol. Other blood tests to rule out rare causes may be indicated.
Heart tests including electrocardiograms (ECG) and echocardiograms to detect heart issues that may cause embolic strokes.

Treatment focuses on restoring blood flow to the brain and preventing further strokes:

Medications
- Thrombolytics. Clot-busting drugs such as tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) given within a few hours of stroke onset.
- Antiplatelet agents. Such as aspirin to prevent new clots.
- Anticoagulants. Blood thinners to reduce the risk of future strokes.
Surgical procedures
- Mechanical Thrombectomy. Removing the clot using a catheter.
- Carotid Endarterectomy. Surgery to remove fatty deposits from the carotid arteries.
- Angioplasty and stenting. Opening a blocked artery with a balloon and placing a stent to keep it open.
Rehabilitation. Post-stroke rehabilitation including physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help regain lost skills and function.