Cerebrovascular Disease

Cerebrovascular is made up of two parts – "cerebro" which refers to the large part of the brain, and "vascular" which means arteries and veins. Cerebrovascular disease is a disease of the blood vessels and, especially, the arteries that supply the brain. Stroke, carotid stenosis, vertebral stenosis and intracranial stenosis, aneurysms, and vascular malformations are all forms of cerebrovascular disease.

Blood flow restriction may occur from:

Vessel narrowing (stenosis)
Clot formation (thrombosis)
Blockage (embolism)
Blood vessel rupture (hemorrhage).

Lack of sufficient blood flow (ischemia) affects brain tissue and causes stroke.

Medical (Drug) Therapy

Thrombolytic medicine, such as tPA, disperses blood clots and can restore blood flow to the damaged area. Patients must pass strict criteria before receiving thrombolytics. Potential patients must be examined and treated by a specialized stroke team within 3 hours of when the symptoms start. In addition, this treatment can make damage worse if a stroke is caused by a blood vessel rupture instead of a clot.

Other medications, such as the blood thinners heparin and Coumadin can be used to treat strokes. Aspirin may also be used. Other medications may be needed to control associated symptoms. Pain killers may be needed to control severe headache. Medicine may be needed to control high blood pressure.

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