- 🔬Pathophysiology
- Arterial occlusion (thrombotic or embolic) → focal cerebral ischemia and infarction.
- 🩺Signs & Symptoms
- Sudden focal deficit — unilateral weakness, facial droop, aphasia, or neglect (by territory).
- 🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
- Emergent non-contrast CT head to exclude hemorrhage; MRI is more sensitive for early ischemia.
- 💊First-line Treatment
- IV thrombolysis (alteplase or tenecteplase) within ≤4.5 h if eligible; thrombectomy for large-vessel occlusion; then antiplatelet.