The spectrum of lacunar infarction in the elderly

The incidence of ischemic stroke increases sharply with age. Lacunar infarcts constitute about 25% of ischemic strokes. They usually produce a recognizable clinical picture, the underlying vascular lesion is usually arteriolosclerosis, the thickening of the wall of a perforating arteriole within the brain. Following a lacunar infarct, the most important aspect of patient management is the prevention of stroke recurrence by reduction of vascular risk factors, primarily arterial hypertension.