Posterior Circulation Ischaemic Stroke

Am J Med Sci. 2022 Jan 29:S0002-9629(22)00030-1. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2021.10.027. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPosterior circulation ischaemic stroke (PCIS) is a disease of high burden. They account for 20-25% of all ischaemic strokes. However, it is relatively under-researched and requires more clinical attention, since it carries worse functional outcomes. Vertigo, visual disturbances and sensory/motor disturbances are found in PCIS. Large artery atherosclerosis and embolism are main causes of PCIS, while there is growing evidence that vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a key association. Hypertension is the commonest risk factor, while diabetes mellitus is more specific to PCIS. PCIS is diagnosed through neuroimaging techniques, which examine structural brain abnormalities, vascular patency and perfusion. PCIS, in line with ischaemic stroke in general, requires medical treatment and lifestyle modifications. This includes smoking cessation, weight control, and dietary alterations. Aspirin use also significantly improves survival outcomes. While intravascular and intra-arterial thrombolysis improve clinical outcomes, this is not proven conclusively for stenting and angioplasty. Future research on PCIS can focus on multi-centre epidemiological studies, clinically significant anatomical variants, and collateralisation.PMID:35104439 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjms.2021.10.027

Source: The American Journal of the Medical Sciences - February 1, 2022 Category: General Medicine Authors: Mr Alexander Ng Source Type: research