What is the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in patients with sickle cell disease?
The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in patients with SCD is large artery arteriopathy, believed to be caused by intimal hyperplasia related to repeated endothelial injury. Progressive narrowing of arteries at the base of the brain can lead to cerebral vasculopathy or moyamoya syndrome, which can predispose a patient to both ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage.