The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke may depend on the underlying cause of ischemia. Ischemic infarct may be categorized into two types depending on the area of the brain involved as focal ischemic stroke or global ischemic stroke. Hemodynamic changes in ischemic stroke results from cerebral auto regulation dysfunction as brain tissue is highly sensitive to mild changes in oxygen levels. Several minutes of hypoxia leads to irreversible injury. Cerebral auto regulation maintains the perfusion pressure in the brain between the pressure range of 60-150 mm Hg via vasoconstriction and vasodilatation. Prolonged ischemia decreases oxygen delivery to the cells causing anaerobic glycolysis and increased production of free oxygen and nitrate radicals which in turn causes cell membrane, DNA damage and cell death.
Ischemic stroke pathophysiology
Subarachnoid hemorrhage pathophysiology
Intracerebral hemorrhage pathophysiology
Encephalopathy pathophysiology
Heat stroke risk factors
Transient ischemic attack pathophysiology
Ischemic stroke risk factors
Atherosclerosis pathophysiology