Computed tomographic-angiographic findings within the first five hours of cerebral infarction.

Abstract

We conclude that cerebral infarctions are often visible on early scans, but their locations may not be etiologically determinative. The infarcts associated with intracranial arterial occlusions (45%) were of thromboembolic origin, but, given current controversies as to the pathophysiology of lacunar and watershed infarctions, we cannot ascertain the etiology in the remainder. These findings are relevant to the new stroke therapies that require administration in the first hours after infarction.