Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke Causes and Symptoms - Verywell Health

A middle cerebral artery stroke is an interruption of blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). Strokes happen when a blood vessel is blocked or ruptured.

A stroke is always a medical emergency. It can cause permanent brain damage because brain cells die if they don't get a constant supply of oxygenated blood.

This article will look at the MCA and what it does, symptoms and causes of MCA strokes, and how they're diagnosed and treated.

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What is the Middle Cerebral Artery?

The arteries in your brain come in symmetrical pairs. Each one has a left and right artery. The MCAs are vital blood vessels that branch off from the internal carotid arteries.

The internal carotid arteries are branches of the common carotid arteries. Those are large blood vessels in your neck.

The MCA is the largest branch of the internal carotid arteries. It can be involved in large strokes.

What Does the MCA Do?

Arteries in the brain carry blood that's rich in oxygen and nutrients to the brain. Each artery supplies a different section of the brain. That section is called the 'territory' of that artery.

The MCAs supply a large territory in the brain that includes the:

• Parietal lobe: Processes sensory information related to touch, taste, and temperature
• Temporal lobe: Processes audio and encodes memory
• Internal capsule: Aids communication between areas of the brain
• A portion of the frontal lobe: Important for movement, expressive language, and the ability to work toward a goal

When blood flow to these areas is impaired, they have a hard time doing their jobs.

Recap

MCA strokes happen when the MCA is blocked or ruptured and blood flow to the MCA's territory is interrupted.

The MCA is the largest branch of the internal carotid arteries. It carries blood—which contains oxygen and nutrients—to several critical areas of the brain. The lack of blood flow kills brain cells and impairs function in that region.

MCA Stroke Symptoms

MCA strokes are the most common type. Their symptoms are the ones people usually associate with strokes, such as:

An MCA stroke may also cause:

• Sensory deficits
• Visual defects

These affect the opposite side of the body from the artery. So a stroke in the right MCA causes symptoms on the left side of the body.

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Causes

The MCA is a large blood vessel. Large-vessel strokes affect more of the brain than strokes in small vessels. If the MCA itself is blocked, the result is a large-vessel stroke that affects its entire territory.

If only a small branch of the MCA is blocked, it causes a small-vessel stroke. This impacts a small section of the MCA's territory and is often less serious.

MCA strokes are generally caused by a blood clot that travels from outside the brain. Typically, it's from the heart or carotid artery. Then the clot gets lodged in the MCA and blocks blood flow.

This is called an embolic stroke. When the clot originates in the arteries of the brain, it's called thrombotic.

Risk factors for MCA strokes include:

Recap

MCA strokes are common and their symptoms are well known. A stroke in the left MCA causes symptoms on the right side of your body and visa-versa.

Large-vessel strokes like MCA strokes affect large areas of the brain. Sometimes, only a branch of the MCA is blocked and the stroke is less severe.

Blood clots that travel from the heart or carotid artery often cause MCA strokes.

Diagnosis

MCA strokes are among the most easily recognized types of stroke.

Even so, your healthcare provider will likely use multiple labs and tests to confirm the diagnosis. These may include:

Other tests and imaging may be performed depending on your symptoms.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Urgent treatment may include:

• Tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a powerful blood thinner
• Other blood thinners
• Careful management of blood pressure, blood sugars, electrolytes, and fluids
• Surgery to remove pressure on vital brain regions

Rehabilitation after a stroke can be intensive and prolonged. It may involve physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Summary

Blocks or ruptures in the MCA lead to MCA strokes. The resulting loss of blood, oxygen, and nutrients can cause brain damage and impair function in the regions that get blood from the MCA.

MCA strokes are often large unless only a branch of it is blocked, in which case they're smaller and less serious.

Symptoms of MCA strokes are the ones most people associate with strokes and have to do with the regions affected.

MCA strokes are often caused by blood clots that travel from the heart or carotid artery. They're diagnosed using a neurological exam, blood tests, and imaging.

Treatment includes blood thinners, surgery to relieve pressure, and management of several vital signs. Recovery may involve multiple types of therapy, depending on the symptoms.

A Word From Verywell

Recovery from an MCA stroke may take some time, particularly if the entire MCA was blocked, resulting in a large stroke.

Long-term recovery and rehabilitation may take months or even years. However, a good recovery is possible even from very serious strokes. Most people who have an MCA stroke are able to regain some function.

Frequently Asked Questions

• A middle cerebral artery stroke occurs when the middle cerebral artery (the largest branch of the internal carotid artery) is blocked. The middle carotid artery supplies parts of the brain responsible for movement and feeling in the trunk, limbs, and face.

• Middle cerebral artery (MCA) strokes cause the same symptoms that people commonly associate with any stroke, namely:

  • Unilateral (one-sided) weakness and/or numbness
  • Unilateral facial drooping
  • Unilateral vision changes
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Loss of ability to understand or express speech

• A middle cerebral stroke can either be hemorrhagic (caused by a brain bleed) or ischemic (caused by a blockage). Older age, genetics, race, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, and diet contribute to both. Risk factors for an ischemic stroke also include high cholesterol, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.

• In the event of an ischemic stroke, an intravenous drug called tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) is used to break up the clot blocking the artery; in some cases, catheters and stents may be used to remove the clot and restore blood flow. Hemorrhagic strokes usually require surgery to relieve intracranial pressure caused by bleeding.

• The acronym BE FAST is often used by health educators to describe stroke symptoms affecting balance, eyes, face, arm, speech, and time. Call 911 or seek emergency care if you or someone else experiences:

  • Sudden loss of balance on one side
  • Vision changes in one eye or double vision
  • One-sided facial drooping
  • Loss of function or sensation in one arm
  • Slurred speech
  • Trouble finding a word or getting words out

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