Thrombus in intracranial vessels

A thrombus in the intracranial vessels is a pathological blood clot located within the cerebral arteries or venous sinuses, primarily composed of a meshwork of fibrin, activated platelets, and trapped red blood cells (StatPearls, 2023). It is the central cause of acute ischemic stroke, where the occlusion of blood flow leads to rapid neuronal hypoxia and subsequent infarction (NIH, 2024). While "thrombus" describes a clinical finding rather than a single molecular target, it is the primary focus of acute reperfusion therapies in neurovascular medicine. Pharmacological treatments include thrombolytics like alteplase, which activates plasminogen to catalyze the dissolution of the fibrin matrix (AHA/ASA, 2019). Additionally, antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants are employed to prevent thrombus propagation and secondary embolic events. The management of intracranial thrombi requires rapid identification via neuroimaging, such as CT or MRI, to minimize brain tissue loss and optimize clinical outcomes.

Other names

Intracranial thrombusCerebral thrombusIntracranial blood clotCerebral thrombosis

Thrombolysis via plasminogen activation, inhibition of platelet aggregation, and inhibition of the coagulation cascade.