An embolic stroke is one of two types of ischemic strokes. It occurs when a blood clot forms in another part of the body — often the heart or arteries in the upper chest and neck — and moves through the bloodstream to the brain.

In which intracerebral artery do the majority of embolic strokes occur?

Occlusion of the MCA or its branches is the most common type of anterior circulation infarct, accounting for approximately 90% of infarcts and two thirds of all first strokes.

Which cerebral artery is most commonly affected by an embolic stroke?

The middle cerebral artery (MCA) is the most common artery involved in acute stroke. It branches directly from the internal carotid artery and consists of four main branches, M1, M2, M3, and M4.