When complete occlusion occurs, it may lead to ischaemia. Often, even a complete occlusion is totally asymptomatic because bilateral circulation keeps the brain well perfused. However, when blood clots form and break off from the site of the tear, they form emboli, which can travel through the arteries to the brain and block the blood supply to the brain, resulting in an ischaemic stroke, otherwise known as a cerebral infarction.
Complete obstruction may result in ischaemia. Typically, even a complete blockage remains asymptomatic because both sides of the brain receive adequate circulation. However, when clots break off from the site of the tear and travel to the brain via the arteries, they can cause an obstruction in the blood supply to the brain, resulting in an ischaemic stroke or cerebral infarction.