Middle cerebral artery stroke can be fatal within 24 hours and may be associated with a major stroke.
Important Information about Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
A middle cerebral artery stroke occurs when blood flow from the middle cerebral artery is suddenly interrupted (also known as ischemia) or completely stopped (cerebral infarction), leading to tissue death and causing severe brain injury, potentially permanent.
What is the middle cerebral artery? Where is it located? The middle cerebral artery (Latin: arteria meningea media; English: middle cerebral artery) is one of the main arteries supplying blood to the brain. The middle cerebral artery is typically the third branch of the first part of the maxillary artery, one of the two terminal branches of the external carotid artery. It is located on the upper part of the brain, running along the center of the brain. After branching from the maxillary artery in the infratemporal fossa, it passes through the foramen spinosum to supply blood to various parts of the brain. The superficial branch of the middle cerebral artery supplies blood to the outer surface of the superior frontal gyrus and the lower three-quarters of the prefrontal gyrus to the outer half of the frontal lobe. The middle cerebral artery also supplies blood to the outer surface of the temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and the anterior half of the occipital lobe. The deep branch of the middle cerebral artery includes an important branch called the lateral striate artery, which supplies blood to the internal capsule, caudate nucleus, putamen, and thalamus; this artery is also known as the Charcot artery. The parts of the brain that receive blood and nutrients from the middle cerebral artery are involved in:
When blood flow to these areas is diminished, they struggle to perform their functions. |
1. Symptoms of Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
Symptoms of a middle cerebral artery stroke typically include:
- Weakness or numbness on one side of the body
- Facial drooping
- Language disturbances (difficulty in expressing thoughts and understanding what others are saying).
A middle cerebral artery stroke may also cause sensory disturbances or visual impairment. These symptoms often affect the side opposite to the affected artery; for example, a stroke in the right MCA will result in symptoms on the left side of the body.
A middle cerebral artery stroke may cause sensory disturbances or visual impairment. (Image: Internet).
How to recognize if someone is having a stroke?
BEFAST is an acronym commonly used to describe the symptoms of a stroke to someone. It includes:
- Balance: Sudden loss of balance on one side
- Eyes: Sudden changes in vision, which may include loss of vision or double vision
- Face: Facial drooping on one side
- Arm: Weakness, paralysis, or loss of sensation in one arm
- Speech: Slurred speech, language disturbances in speaking and understanding
- Time: The golden time to quickly call emergency services.
2. Causes
A middle cerebral artery stroke occurs when the middle cerebral artery is blocked due to a blood clot that has traveled from outside the brain (often from the heart or carotid artery). This is referred to as an embolic stroke.
If a blood clot forms and causes a blockage originating from the middle cerebral artery, it is called a thrombotic stroke.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of a middle cerebral artery stroke include heart disease, carotid artery disease, and other general factors such as high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes; an unhealthy lifestyle or age, family history of stroke, or conditions like cerebrovascular disease;…
It is important to note that risk factors do not necessarily cause a stroke. Moreover, having these risk factors does not mean that a person will definitely experience a stroke.
There are many factors that can cause a stroke. (Image: Internet).
3. Diagnosing Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
A middle cerebral artery stroke is considered one of the most recognizable types of stroke. Nevertheless, to accurately conclude whether you have experienced a middle cerebral artery stroke, doctors may use several tests including:
- Neurological examination to determine the affected area of the brain
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart’s conduction system that may be related to the cause of the stroke
- Lumbar puncture to check for hemorrhagic stroke
- Blood tests to look for risk factors including clotting disorders, high cholesterol, and diabetes
- CT scans to check for brain hemorrhage
- CT angiography to detect blockages in the cerebral blood vessels
- MRI or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for a deeper examination of the cause of the stroke as well as to detect any associated brain tissue damage.
Depending on the symptoms of the stroke victim, additional tests and imaging examinations may be recommended.
Doctors will order stroke patients to undergo various tests and imaging examinations. (Image: Internet).
4. Treatment and Recovery from Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke
Treatment for middle cerebral artery stroke is divided into initial treatment and rehabilitation after the stroke.
– Initial treatment for middle cerebral artery stroke aims to save the patient’s life and limit any brain damage caused by the stroke. This may include:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) or tenecteplase (an enzyme that restores tPA, a natural substance in the body that helps dissolve blood clots)
- Other anticoagulants (blood-thinning medications)
- Management of blood pressure, blood sugar, electrolytes, and body fluids
- Surgery to relieve pressure on critical brain areas.
– Rehabilitation after a middle cerebral artery stroke can be labor-intensive and prolonged. Rehabilitation includes physical and speech therapy. Patients should consider rehabilitation at inpatient facilities for proper care. Besides addressing complications caused by the stroke, long-term treatment also aims to prevent another stroke from occurring in the future.
Even with combined rehabilitation, this recovery process can take up to a year. The recovery prospects for an individual who has had a middle cerebral artery stroke depend on the severity of the stroke and the overall health of the individual, as well as their response to treatment.
For those with less severe middle cerebral artery strokes, complete recovery is possible. However, the recovery rate will be lower for individuals with severe middle cerebral artery strokes.
Recovery from a middle cerebral artery stroke can be labor-intensive and prolonged. (Image: Internet).
5. Prevention
There is no way for a person to completely prevent having a stroke. However, since some risk factors can be avoided and improved, you can prevent strokes by avoiding these factors or managing your health effectively.
According to Medical News Today, here are the modifiable risk factors that increase the likelihood of a stroke:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Lack of regular exercise
- Poor dietary habits
- Health conditions including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and atrial fibrillation.
Avoiding these risk factors, while not guaranteeing the complete elimination of stroke risk, can contribute to reducing it. Talk further with your doctor to receive advice tailored to your health condition.
