Ischemic stroke due to thrombosis is defined as which?

• A. Blockage that obstructs the flow of blood to brain
• B. Blood clot elsewhere that travels to the brain
• C. Bubble forms a weakening of a vessel
• D. Elevated intracranial pressure

Answer: (A)

Ischemic stroke due to thrombosis is defined by a blockage in the brain caused by a blood clot that forms in place, in the vessel already narrowed or damaged. This in-situ thrombosis reduces or stops blood flow to brain tissue, leading to ischemia. It differs from an embolic stroke, where a clot forms elsewhere (for example in the heart) and travels to the brain to lodge in a vessel. It’s not about a bubble causing rupture or about raised intracranial pressure, which describe different problems. The key idea is a clot forming locally that obstructs cerebral blood flow.