Published in:
01-10-2019 | Cerebral Sinus Venous Thrombosis | Stroke (H.C. Diener, Section Editor)
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: an Update
Authors:
José M. Ferro, Diana Aguiar de Sousa
Published in:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
|
Issue 10/2019
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Abstract
Purpose of Review
The purpose of this update is to summarize the recent advances on the management of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT).
Recent Findings
There is a trend in declining frequency of CVT patients presenting with focal deficits or coma and a decrease in mortality over time. Anemia and obesity were identified as risk factors for CVT. During pregnancy and puerperium, the higher risk of CVT occurs in the first months post-delivery. With appropriate management, 1/3 of comatose CVT patients can have a full recovery.
Summary
The management of CVT patients includes treatment of associated conditions, anticoagulation with parenteral heparin, prevention of recurrent seizures, and decompressive neurosurgery in patients with large venous infarcts/hemorrhages with impending herniation. After the acute phase, patients should be anticoagulated for 3–12 months. Results of recently completed randomized controlled trials on endovascular treatment and comparing dabigatran with warfarin will improve the treatment of CVT.