From the Research
A right posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke typically causes visual field defects, specifically homonymous hemianopia, which is the most common symptom, as reported in a recent study 1.
Symptoms of Right PCA Stroke
The symptoms of a right PCA stroke can vary, but common symptoms include:
- Visual field defects, specifically homonymous hemianopia (blindness in the left half of the visual field in both eyes)
- Visual hallucinations
- Color vision abnormalities
- Difficulty recognizing faces (prosopagnosia)
- Sensory deficits like numbness or tingling on the left side of the body
- Memory problems, particularly difficulty forming new memories, if the stroke affects the medial temporal lobe
- Confusion, headache, dizziness, or nausea
Importance of Immediate Medical Attention
If you suspect a stroke, immediate medical attention is crucial, as treatments like thrombolysis are time-sensitive and can significantly improve outcomes if administered within hours of symptom onset 1. The PCA supplies blood to the occipital lobe (visual cortex), parts of the temporal lobe, and portions of the thalamus, and prompt reperfusion can result in a good clinical course in patients with PCA stroke, as shown in a case study 2.
Risk Factors and Etiology
Recent studies have investigated the demographics, risk factors, and etiology of PCA stroke, finding that most patients have multiple conventional stroke risk factors, with systemic hypertension being the most common 3. The etiology of PCA stroke can vary, with cardioaortic embolism being a common cause, and nearly half of the patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) in one study had AF diagnosed after the stroke 3.
Clinical Features and Infarct Location
The clinical features and infarct location of PCA stroke can aid in diagnosis, with many patients able to lateralize their visual symptoms and having nonvisual symptoms suggestive of ischemia affecting the proximal vertebrobasilar circuit 1. Numbness and tingling are strongly linked to concurrent thalamic infarction, and the location of the infarction can reflect the widespread nature of ischemia, affecting the temporal lobe, thalamus, and cerebellum 1.