Distal vessel occlusion refers to a blockage or obstruction in a small blood vessel far away from the central artery or vein. This type of occlusion can occur in various parts of the body, such as the limbs, brain, or organs.

In the context of stroke, a distal vessel occlusion can occur in the small arteries that supply blood to a specific part of the brain. This type of occlusion is often caused by a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and becomes lodged in a small vessel in the brain. If the blockage is not quickly removed, it can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.

Treatment for distal vessel occlusion may involve the use of thrombolytic therapy (to dissolve the clot) or mechanical thrombectomy(to physically remove the clot). However, the effectiveness of these treatments depends on the location and severity of the occlusion, as well as other factors such as the patient's overall health and medical history.

see also Acute Large Vessel Occlusion