I63.212

Clinical Causes: Atherosclerosis: build-up of fatty deposits inside artery walls leading to narrowing or blockage Blood clots: formation of clots within the artery that obstruct blood flow Vascular stenosis: abnormal narrowing of the artery due to various factors including plaque buildup Arterial dissection: a tear in the artery wall that can lead to occlusion Rare causes: vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) or congenital vessel abnormalities

Key Symptoms: Sudden weakness or numbness in limbs, especially on the right side Difficulty speaking or understanding speech Sudden vision impairment in one or both eyes Loss of coordination or balance, such as dizziness or difficulty walking Sudden severe headache Difficulty swallowing or drooping facial muscles

Diagnosis Path: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): to visualize brain tissue and identify infarction Computed Tomography (CT): rapid imaging to detect areas of brain damage Vascular imaging techniques: such as Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA), CT Angiography (CTA), or Doppler ultrasound to assess the arteries' condition Blood tests: to evaluate risk factors like cholesterol levels and blood clotting factors Carotid and vertebral artery ultrasound: to detect stenosis or blockage

Treatment Protocols: Thrombolytic therapy: administering clot-dissolving medications within a specific time window after symptom onset Antiplatelet agents: such as aspirin to prevent clot formation Anticoagulants: to reduce the risk of future blood clots Surgical interventions: procedures like endarterectomy or stenting to open narrowed arteries Managing underlying risk factors: controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices Rehabilitation: physical, speech, and occupational therapy to recover lost functions