[Etiology and mechanism in cerebral infarction]

Cerebrovascular disease is the 3rd leading cause of death and an important cause of hospital admission and long-term disability in most industrialized populations. Many studies have shown that brain infarct is the most frequent form of cerebrovascular disease (83%). Brain infarct is a heterogeneous entity with several etiologies (mainly large-artery disease, small-artery disease, cardiac embolic disease). Different mechanisms are involved including arterial occlusion, thrombosis (atherosclerosis), embolism (from a cardiac or intraarterial source), and hemodynamic mechanisms (systemic hypoperfusion). Careful neurological assessment (cerebral computed tomogram, magnetic resonance imaging, Doppler ultrasound and angiography in selected cases) provides greater precision regarding these mechanisms and the choice of treatment.