Coma in adult cerebral venous thrombosis: The BEAST study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Coma is an independent predictor of poor clinical outcomes in cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We aimed to describe the association of age, sex, and radiological characteristics of adult coma patients with CVT. METHODS: We used data from the international, multicentre prospective observational BEAST (Biorepository to Establish the Aetiology of Sinovenous Thrombosis) study. Only positively associated variables with coma with <10% missing data in univariate analysis were considered for the multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of the 596 adult patients with CVT (75.7% women), 53 (8.9%) patients suffered coma. Despite being a female-predominant disease, the prevalence of coma was higher among men than women (13.1% vs. 7.5%, p = 0.04). Transverse sinus thrombosis was least likely to be associated with coma (23.9% vs. 73.3%, p < 0.001). The prevalence of superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was higher among men than women in the coma sample (73.6% vs. 37.5%, p = 0.01). Men were significantly older than women, with a median (interquartile range) age of 51 (38.5-60) versus 40 (33-47) years in the coma (p = 0.04) and 44.5 (34-58) versus 37 (29-48) years in the non-coma sample (p < 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, an age- and superior sagittal sinus-adjusted multivariate logistic regression model found male sex (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0-3.4, p = 0.04) to be an independent predictor of coma in CVT, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.61 (95% CI = 0.52-0.68, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Although CVT is a female-predominant disease, men were older and nearly twice as likely to suffer from coma than women.

A scoring tool to predict mortality and dependency after cerebral venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A prognostic score was developed to predict dependency and death after cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) to identify patients for targeted therapy in future clinical trials. METHODS: Data from the International CVT Consortium were used. Patients with pre-existent functional dependency were excluded. Logistic regression was used to predict poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 3-6) at 6 months and Cox regression to predict 30-day and 1-year all-cause mortality. Potential predictors derived from previous studies were selected with backward stepwise selection. Coefficients were shrunk using ridge regression to adjust for optimism in internal validation. RESULTS: Of 1454 patients with CVT, the cumulative number of deaths was 44 (3%) and 70 (5%) for 30 days and 1 year, respectively. Of 1126 patients evaluated regarding functional outcome, 137 (12%) were dependent or dead at 6 months. From the retained predictors for both models, the SI2 NCAL2 C score was derived utilizing the following components: absence of female-sex-specific risk factor, intracerebral hemorrhage, infection of the central nervous system, neurological focal deficits, coma, age, lower level of hemoglobin (g/l), higher level of glucose (mmol/l) at admission, and cancer. C-statistics were 0.80 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75-0.84), 0.84 (95% CI 0.80-0.88) and 0.84 (95% CI 0.80-0.88) for the poor outcome, 30-day and 1-year mortality model, respectively. Calibration plots indicated a good model fit between predicted and observed values. The SI2 NCAL2 C score calculator is freely available at www.cerebralvenousthrombosis.com. CONCLUSIONS: The SI2 NCAL2 C score shows adequate performance for estimating individual risk of mortality and dependency after CVT but external validation of the score is warranted.

Association Between Beta-Blocker or Statin Drug Use and the Risk of Hemorrhage From Cerebral Cavernous Malformations.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the association between beta-blocker or statin drug use and the future risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or persistent/progressive focal neurological deficit from cerebral cavernous malformations (CCM). METHODS: The population-based Scottish Audit of Intracranial Vascular Malformations prospectively identified adults resident in Scotland first diagnosed with CCM during 1999 to 2003 or 2006 to 2010. We compared the association between beta-blocker or statin drug use after first presentation and the occurrence of new intracranial hemorrhage or persistent/progressive focal neurological deficit due to CCM for up to 15 years of prospective follow-up. We confirmed proportional hazards and used survival analysis with multivariable adjustment for age, intracranial hemorrhage at CCM presentation, and brain stem CCM location. RESULTS: Sixty-three (21%) of 300 adults used beta-blockers (27/63 [43%] used propranolol), and 73 (24%) used statin drugs over 3634 person-years of follow-up. At baseline, the only statistically significant imbalances in prespecified potential confounders were age by statin use and intracranial hemorrhage at presentation by beta-blocker use. Beta-blocker use was associated with a lower risk of new intracranial hemorrhage or persistent/progressive focal neurological deficit (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.01-0.66]; P=0.018). Statin use was associated with a nonsignificant lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage or persistent/progressive focal neurological deficit (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.37 [95% CI, 0.01-1.07]; P=0.067). CONCLUSIONS: Beta-blocker, but not statin, use was associated with a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage or persistent/progressive focal neurological deficit in patients with CCM.

Recurrent Ischemic Stroke and Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation Who Suffered an Acute Stroke While on Treatment With Nonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants: The RENO-EXTEND Study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an ischemic stroke while on treatment with nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, rates and determinants of recurrent ischemic events and major bleedings remain uncertain. METHODS: This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to estimate the rates of ischemic and bleeding events and their determinants in the follow-up of consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation who suffered an acute cerebrovascular ischemic event while on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment. Afterwards, we compared the estimated risks of ischemic and bleeding events between the patients in whom anticoagulant therapy was changed to those who continued the original treatment. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up time of 15.0±10.9 months, 192 out of 1240 patients (15.5%) had 207 ischemic or bleeding events corresponding to an annual rate of 13.4%. Among the events, 111 were ischemic strokes, 15 systemic embolisms, 24 intracranial bleedings, and 57 major extracranial bleedings. Predictive factors of recurrent ischemic events (strokes and systemic embolisms) included CHA2DS2-VASc score after the index event (odds ratio [OR], 1.2 [95% CI, 1.0-1.3] for each point increase; P=0.05) and hypertension (OR, 2.3 [95% CI, 1.0-5.1]; P=0.04). Predictive factors of bleeding events (intracranial and major extracranial bleedings) included age (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.2] for each year increase; P=0.002), history of major bleeding (OR, 6.9 [95% CI, 3.4-14.2]; P=0.0001) and the concomitant administration of an antiplatelet agent (OR, 2.8 [95% CI, 1.4-5.5]; P=0.003). Rates of ischemic and bleeding events were no different in patients who changed or not changed the original nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants treatment (OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 0.8-1.7]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients suffering a stroke despite being on nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant therapy are at high risk of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding. In these patients, further research is needed to improve secondary prevention by investigating the mechanisms of recurrent ischemic stroke and bleeding.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies First Locus Associated with Susceptibility to Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon form of stroke affecting mostly young individuals. Although genetic factors are thought to play a role in this cerebrovascular condition, its genetic etiology is not well understood. METHODS: A genome-wide association study was performed to identify genetic variants influencing susceptibility to CVT. A 2-stage genome-wide study was undertaken in 882 Europeans diagnosed with CVT and 1,205 ethnicity-matched control subjects divided into discovery and independent replication datasets. RESULTS: In the overall case-control cohort, we identified highly significant associations with 37 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 9q34.2 region. The strongest association was with rs8176645 (combined p = 9.15 × 10-24 ; odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.76-2.31). The discovery set findings were validated across an independent European cohort. Genetic risk score for this 9q34.2 region increases CVT risk by a pooled estimate OR = 2.65 (95% CI = 2.21-3.20, p = 2.00 × 10-16 ). SNPs within this region were in strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) with coding regions of the ABO gene. The ABO blood group was determined using allele combination of SNPs rs8176746 and rs8176645. Blood groups A, B, or AB, were at 2.85 times (95% CI = 2.32-3.52, p = 2.00 × 10-16 ) increased risk of CVT compared with individuals with blood group O. INTERPRETATION: We present the first chromosomal region to robustly associate with a genetic susceptibility to CVT. This region more than doubles the likelihood of CVT, a risk greater than any previously identified thrombophilia genetic risk marker. That the identified variant is in strong LD with the coding region of the ABO gene with differences in blood group prevalence provides important new insights into the pathophysiology of CVT. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:777-788.

Dural arteriovenous fistulas in cerebral venous thrombosis: Data from the International Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Consortium: Data from the International Cerebral Venous Thrombosis Consortium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To explore the prevalence, risk factors, time correlation, characteristics and clinical outcome of dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) in a cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) population. METHODS: We included patients from the International CVT Consortium registries. Diagnosis of dAVF was confirmed centrally. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for dAVF among consecutive CVT patients and investigated its impact on clinical outcome using logistic regression analysis. We defined poor outcome as modified Rankin Scale score 3-6 at last follow-up. RESULTS: dAVF was confirmed in 29/1218 (2.4%) consecutive CVT patients. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) follow-up time was 8 (5-23) months. Patients with dAVF were older (median [IQR] 53 [44-61] vs. 41 [29-53] years; p < 0.001), more frequently male (69% vs. 33%; p < 0.001), more often had chronic clinical CVT onset (>30 days: 39% vs. 7%; p < 0.001) and sigmoid sinus thrombosis (86% vs. 51%; p < 0.001), and less frequently had parenchymal lesions (31% vs. 55%; p = 0.013) at baseline imaging. Clinical outcome at last follow-up did not differ between patients with and without dAVF. Additionally, five patients were confirmed with dAVF from non-consecutive CVT cohorts. Among all patients with CVT and dAVF, 17/34 (50%) had multiple fistulas and 23/34 (68%) had cortical venous drainage. Of 34 patients with dAVF with 36 separate CVT events, 3/36 fistulas (8%) were diagnosed prior to, 20/36 (56%) simultaneously and 13/36 after (36%, median 115 [IQR 38-337] days) diagnosis of CVT. CONCLUSIONS: Dural arteriovenous fistulas occur in at least 2% of CVT patients and are associated with chronic CVT onset, older age and male sex. Most CVT-related dAVFs are detected simultaneously or subsequently to diagnosis of CVT.

Blood Pressure Control and Recurrent Stroke After Intracerebral Hemorrhage in 2002 to 2018 Versus 1981 to 1986: Population-Based Study.

Background and Purpose: The PROGRESS trial (Perindopril Protection Against Recurrent Stroke Study) conducted in the early 1990s showed that blood pressure (BP) lowering therapy reduced the risks of recurrent stroke by about 50% after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the ICH subgroup was a minority, and trial cohorts are invariably selective. Therefore, it is unclear whether the impact of BP control on risk of recurrent stroke in ICH observed in PROGRESS would be as great in real-world practice. Methods: We compared BP control (mean BP during study follow-up) and risks of recurrent stroke after first-ever primary ICH in 2 colocated population-based studies before and after the PROGRESS trial (1995­2001) in Oxfordshire: Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project (OCSP; 1981­1986) and OXVASC (Oxford Vascular Study; 2002­2018). Results: Two hundred seventy-seven patients (753 patient-years of follow-up) with first-ever primary ICH were ascertained in OXVASC and OCSP. Baseline systolic BP was comparable between the 2 studies (mean/SD=183.8/36.5 in OXVASC versus 178.1/38.2 in OCSP, P=0.30) but among one hundred thirty-seven 90-day survivors, mean BP during follow-up was substantially lower in OXVASC versus OCSP (135.2/16.4 versus 157.3/17.8, P<0.0001). Risks of recurrent stroke (per 100 patient-years) decreased from 10.3 (95% CI, 4.7­19.5) in OCSP to 3.1 (1.8­4.8) in OXVASC (P=0.006), predominantly driven by a reduction at younger ages (5-year risk at age <75 years: 35.4% versus 6.9%, P=0.001; hazard ratio, 0.14 [0.04­0.54]). Conclusions: Risks of recurrent stroke after primary ICH have fallen significantly in Oxfordshire over the past 4 decades, coinciding with substantial improvements in BP control during follow-up.

Frequency of Thrombocytopenia and Platelet Factor 4/Heparin Antibodies in Patients With Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: Cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in combination with thrombocytopenia have recently been reported within 4 to 28 days of vaccination with the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca/Oxford) and Ad.26.COV2.S (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccines. An immune-mediated response associated with platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies has been proposed as the underlying pathomechanism. Objective: To determine the frequencies of admission thrombocytopenia, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and presence of platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies in patients diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a descriptive analysis of a retrospective sample of consecutive patients diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis between January 1987 and March 2018 from 7 hospitals participating in the International Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Consortium from Finland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Mexico, Iran, and Costa Rica. Of 952 patients, 865 with available baseline platelet count were included. In a subset of 93 patients, frozen plasma samples collected during a previous study between September 2009 and February 2016 were analyzed for the presence of platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies. Exposures: Diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Main Outcomes and Measures: Frequencies of admission thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150 ×103/µL), heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (as diagnosed by the treating physician), and platelet factor 4/heparin IgG antibodies (optical density >0.4, in a subset of patients with previously collected plasma samples). Results: Of 865 patients (median age, 40 years [interquartile range, 29-53 years], 70% women), 73 (8.4%; 95% CI, 6.8%-10.5%) had thrombocytopenia, which was mild (100-149 ×103/µL) in 52 (6.0%), moderate (50-99 ×103/µL) in 17 (2.0%), and severe (<50 ×103/µL) in 4 (0.5%). Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies was diagnosed in a single patient (0.1%; 95% CI, <0.1%-0.7%). Of the convenience sample of 93 patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis included in the laboratory analysis, 8 (9%) had thrombocytopenia, and none (95% CI, 0%-4%) had platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies. Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, baseline thrombocytopenia was uncommon, and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and platelet factor 4/heparin antibodies were rare. These findings may inform investigations of the possible association between the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 and Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccines and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.

Ten-year risks of recurrent stroke, disability, dementia and cost in relation to site of primary intracerebral haemorrhage: population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) are at increased long-term risks of recurrent stroke and other comorbidities. However, available estimates come predominantly from hospital-based studies with relatively short follow-up. Moreover, there are also uncertainties about the influence of ICH location on risks of recurrent stroke, disability, dementia and quality of life. METHODS: In a population-based study (Oxford Vascular Study/2002-2018) of patients with a first ICH with follow-up to 10 years, we determined the long-term risks of recurrent stroke, disability, quality of life, dementia and hospital care costs stratified by haematoma location. RESULTS: Of 255 cases with primary ICH (mean/SD age 75.5/13.1), 109 (42.7%) had lobar ICH, 144 (56.5%) non-lobar ICH and 2 (0.8%) had uncertain location. Annual rates of recurrent ICH were higher after lobar versus non-lobar ICH (lobar=4.0%, 2.7-7.2 vs 1.1%, 0.3-2.8; p=0.02). Moreover, cumulative rate of dementia was also higher for lobar versus non-lobar ICH (n/% lobar=20/36.4% vs 16/20.8%, p=0.047), and there was a higher proportion of disability at 5 years in survivors (15/60.0% vs 9/31.0%, p=0.03). The 10-year quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were also lower after lobar versus non-lobar ICH (2.9 vs 3.8 for non-lobar, p=0.04). Overall, the mean 10-year censor-adjusted costs were £19 292, with over 80% of costs due to inpatient hospital admission costs, which did not vary by haematoma location (p=0.90). CONCLUSION: Compared with non-lobar ICH, the substantially higher 10-year risks of recurrent stroke, dementia and lower QALYs after lobar ICH highlight the need for more effective prevention for this patient group.

Postpartum Period Is a Risk Factor for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Background and Purpose- Pregnancy and the postpartum period are generally considered to be risk factors for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), but no controlled studies have quantified the risk. Methods- Case-control study using data of consecutive adult patients with CVT from 5 academic hospitals and controls from the Dutch MEGA study (Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of risk factors for venous thrombosis). Men, women over the age of 50, women using oral contraceptives or with a recent abortion or miscarriage were excluded. We adjusted for age and history of cancer, and stratified for pregnancy versus postpartum, and 0 to 6 versus 7 to 12 weeks postpartum. Results- In total 163/813 cases and 1230/6296 controls were included. Cases were younger (median 38 versus 41 years) and more often had a history of cancer (14% versus 4%) than controls. In total 41/163 (25%) cases and 82/1230 (7%) controls were pregnant or postpartum (adjusted odds ratio, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.4-6.0). The association was fully attributable to an increased risk of CVT during the postpartum period (adjusted odds ratio, 10.6; 95% CI, 5.6-20.0). We found no association between pregnancy and CVT (adjusted odds ratio, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.6-2.3). The risk was highest during the first 6 weeks postpartum (adjusted odds ratio, 18.7; 95% CI, 8.3-41.9). Conclusions- Women who have recently delivered are at increased risk of developing CVT, while there does not seem to be an increased risk of CVT during pregnancy.

Interventions for treating brain arteriovenous malformations in adults.

BACKGROUND: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are the single most common cause of intracerebral haemorrhage in young adults. Brain AVMs also cause seizure(s) and focal neurological deficits (in the absence of haemorrhage, migraine or an epileptic seizure); approximately one-fifth are incidental discoveries. Various interventions are used in an attempt to eradicate brain AVMs: neurosurgical excision, stereotactic radiosurgery, endovascular embolization, and staged combinations of these interventions. This is an update of a Cochrane Review first published in 2006, and last updated in 2009. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness and safety of the different interventions, alone or in combination, for treating brain AVMs in adults compared against either each other, or conservative management, in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Stroke Group Information Specialist searched the Cochrane Stroke Group Trials Register (last searched 7 January 2019), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2019, Issue 1) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE Ovid (1980 to 14 January 2019), and Embase OVID (1980 to 14 January 2019). We searched international registers of clinical trials, the contents pages of relevant journals, and bibliographies of relevant articles (November 2009). We also contacted manufacturers of interventional treatments for brain AVMs (March 2005). SELECTION CRITERIA: We sought RCTs of any intervention for brain AVMs (used alone or in combination), compared against each other or against conservative management, with relevant clinical outcome measures. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: One author screened the results of the updated searches for potentially eligible RCTs for this updated review. Both authors independently read the potentially eligible RCTs in full and confirmed their inclusion according to the inclusion criteria. We resolved disagreement by discussion. We assessed the risk of bias in included studies and applied GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: We included one trial with 226 participants: A Randomized trial of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformations (ARUBA), comparing intervention versus conservative management for unruptured brain AVMs (that had never bled). The quality of evidence was moderate because we found just one trial that was at low risk of bias other than a high risk of performance bias due to participants and treating physicians not being blinded to allocated treatment. Data on functional outcome and death at a follow-up of 12 months were provided for 218 (96%) of the participants in ARUBA. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), intervention compared to conservative management increased death or dependency (modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 2, risk ratio (RR) 2.53, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.28 to 4.98; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence) and the proportion of participants with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage (RR 6.75, 95% CI 2.07 to 21.96; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence), but there was no difference in the frequency of epileptic seizures (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.06; 1 trial, 226 participants; moderate-quality evidence). Three RCTs are ongoing. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We found moderate-quality evidence from one RCT including adults with unruptured brain AVMs that conservative management was superior to intervention with respect to functional outcome and symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage over one year after randomization. More RCTs will help to confirm or refute these findings.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Older Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is rare in older patients. We investigated whether clinical features and outcomes differ in older and younger patients. METHODS: We used data from a multicenter observational registry of consecutive adult patients with CVT admitted between 1987 and 2016. We compared demographics, clinical manifestations, and outcomes between older (upper quartile of the age distribution) and younger (lower 3 quartiles of the age distribution) patients. RESULTS: Data for 843 patients with CVT were available. The median age was 43 years (interquartile range, 30-55 years). Older patients (≥55 years; n=222) were less often women than younger patients (48% versus 71%; P<0.001) and less often reported headache (63% versus 87%; P<0.001). Cancer was more common in older patients (24% versus 9%; P<0.001), especially solid malignancies (19% versus 5%; P<0.001). Outcome at follow-up was worse in older patients (modified Rankin Scale, 3-6; adjusted odds ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.78-4.03; mortality, adjusted odds ratio, 2.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-4.19). CONCLUSIONS: The sex ratio of CVT is evenly distributed in older patients, probably because of the dissipation of hormonal influences. Malignancy should be considered as a potential precipitant in older patients with CVT.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is an important cause of stroke in the young. Unlike venous thromboembolism (VTE), women are affected three times more often than men by CVT. The most common symptoms are headache, seizures and focal neurological deficits. The diagnosis can be confirmed with MRI, CT-venography, or catheter angiography. An intracerebral hemorrhage is found on cerebral imaging in approximately 40 % of patients, and can range from small juxtacortical hemorrhages to large space-occupying lesions. Many risk factors for CVT have been reported, most of which overlap with those of VTE. The primary therapy for CVT is anticoagulation with heparin, based on limited evidence from randomized trials. Both unfractionated or low-molecular weight heparin can be used to treat CVT, although the latter is generally preferable. Small studies have shown promising results of endovascular treatment in severe patients, but these data require confirmation in a randomized trial. In patients who develop clinical and radiological signs of impending herniation decompressive surgery can be both life-saving and result in a good functional outcome. The prognosis is nowadays favorable in most cases, especially compared to arterial stroke, although a significant proportion of patients do suffer from chronic symptoms.

Clinical Outcome of Anticoagulant Treatment in Head or Neck Infection-Associated Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Local infections of the head or neck are a cause of cerebral venous thrombosis. Treatment of infectious cerebral venous thrombosis with heparin is controversial. We examined whether this treatment was associated with intracranial hemorrhagic complications and poor clinical outcome. METHODS: We retrieved data from a prospective cohort study of 624 cerebral venous thrombosis patients. We compared patients with and without an infection of the head or neck and anticoagulated versus not anticoagulated. We examined death or dependency and new intracerebral hemorrhages. RESULTS: Six hundred four of 624 patients were eligible for the study. Fifty-seven patients had an infection of the head or neck (9.4%). Comparing data between infection and noninfection patients, the frequency of therapeutic doses of heparin was similar in both groups (82.5% versus 83.7%). New intracerebral hemorrhages were more common in patients with an infection (12.3% versus 5.3%; P=0.04), but death or dependency did not differ between patients with and without an infection (15.8% versus 13.7%). In patients with an infection of the head or neck, there was no significant difference in the frequency of new intracerebral hemorrhages and poor outcome between patients who did or did not receive therapeutic doses of heparin. CONCLUSIONS: New intracerebral hemorrhages were more frequent in patients with an infection. The use of therapeutic doses of heparin did not seem to influence the risk of new intracranial hemorrhages or poor clinical outcome, but the number of patients who did not receive anticoagulation was too small to draw firm conclusions about safety of heparin in adults with cerebral venous thrombosis and an infection of the head or neck.

Admission Hyperglycemia and Clinical Outcome in Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Admission hyperglycemia is associated with poor clinical outcome in ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Admission hyperglycemia has not been investigated in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients with cerebral venous thrombosis were included at the Academic Medical Center, The Netherlands (2000-2014) and the Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland (1998-2014). We excluded patients with known diabetes mellitus and patients without known admission blood glucose. We defined admission hyperglycemia as blood glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L (141 mg/dL) and severe hyperglycemia as blood glucose ≥11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL). We used logistic regression analysis to determine if admission hyperglycemia was associated with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 3 to 6 or mortality at last follow-up. We adjusted for: age, sex, coma, malignancy, infection, intracerebral hemorrhage, deep cerebral venous thrombosis, and location of recruitment. RESULTS: Of 380 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis, 308 were eligible. Of these, 66 (21.4%) had admission hyperglycemia with 8 (2.6%) having severe admission hyperglycemia. Coma (31.3% versus 5.0%, P<0.001) and intracerebral hemorrhage (53.0% versus 32.6%, P=0.002) at presentation were more common among patients with admission hyperglycemia than normoglycemic patients. Patients with admission hyperglycemia had a higher risk of mRS score of 3 to 6 (adjusted odds ratio, 3.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.35-7.12) and mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 4.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-12.09). Severe hyperglycemia was even more strongly associated with mRS score of 3 to 6 (adjusted odds ratio, 11.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.74-77.30) and mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 33.36; 95% confidence interval, 3.87-287.28) compared with normoglycemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: Admission hyperglycemia is a strong predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Risk Factors for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis.

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare thrombotic disorder involving the cerebral veins and dural sinuses. In contrast to more common sites of venous thromboembolism (VTE), such as the legs and lungs, CVT mainly affects young adults and children, and women are affected three times more often than men. Although presenting symptoms are variable, headache is usually the first symptom, often in combination with focal neurologic deficits and epileptic seizures. The primary therapy for CVT consists of heparin followed by oral anticoagulation for at least 3 to 6 months. The mortality in the acute phase is 5 to 10% and a substantial proportion of survivors suffer from long-term disabilities. A large number of risk factors have been linked to CVT, although the scientific evidence for an association varies considerably between risk factors. Some risk factors, such as hereditary thrombophilia, correspond with risk factors for more common sites of VTE, whereas others, such as head trauma, are specific to CVT. In most patients, at least one risk factor can be identified. In this review, we provide an overview of the risk factors for CVT.

Mechanical thrombectomy in cerebral venous thrombosis: systematic review of 185 cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral venous thrombosis is generally treated with anticoagulation. However, some patients do not respond to medical therapy and these might benefit from mechanical thrombectomy. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis, by performing a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: We identified studies published between January 1995 and February 2014 from PubMed and Ovid. We included all cases of cerebral venous thrombosis in whom mechanical thrombectomy was performed with or without intrasinus thrombolysis. Good outcome was defined as normal or mild neurological deficits at discharge (modified Rankin Scale, 0-2). Secondary outcome variables included periprocedural complications and recanalization rates. RESULTS: Our study included 42 studies (185 patients). Sixty percent of patient had a pretreatment intracerebral hemorrhage and 47% were stuporous or comatose. AngioJet was the most commonly used device (40%). Intrasinus thrombolysis was used in 131 patients (71%). Overall, 156 (84%) patients had a good outcome and 22 (12%) died. Nine (5%) patients had no recanalization, 38 (21%) had partial, and 137 (74%) had near to complete recanalization. The major periprocedural complication was new or increased intracerebral hemorrhage (10%). The use of AngioJet was associated with lower rate of complete recanalization (odds ratio, 0.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.09-0.4) and lower chance of good outcome (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-1.0). CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review suggests that mechanical thrombectomy is reasonably safe but controlled studies are required to provide a definitive answer on its efficacy and safety in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Association Between Anemia and Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anemia is often considered to be a risk factor for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), but this assumption is mostly based on case reports. We investigated the association between anemia and CVT in a controlled study. METHODS: Unmatched case-control study: cases were adult patients with CVT included in a single-center, prospective database between July 2006 and December 2014. Controls were subjects from the control population of the Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of Risk Factors for Venous Thrombosis (MEGA) study. Anemia was defined according to World Health Organization criteria: nonpregnant women hemoglobin<7.5 mmol/L, pregnant women<6.9 mmol/L, and men<8.1 mmol/L. We used logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, sex, malignancy, oral contraceptive use, and pregnancy/puerperium. RESULTS: We included 152 cases and 2916 controls. Patients with CVT were younger (mean age, 40 versus 48 years) and more often women (74% versus 53%) than controls. Anemia was more frequent in cases (27.0%) than in controls (6.5%; P<0.001). Anemia was associated with CVT, both in univariate analysis (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.6-7.9) and after adjustment for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio, 4.4; 95% CI, 2.8-6.9). Hemoglobin as a continuous variable was inversely associated with CVT (adjusted odds ratio per 1 mmol/L change 0.53; 95% CI, 0.42-0.66). Stratification by sex showed a stronger association between anemia and CVT in men (adjusted odds ratio, 9.9; 95% CI, 4.1-23.8) than in women (3.6; 95% CI, 2.1-6.0). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that anemia is a risk factor for CVT.

Small juxtacortical hemorrhages in cerebral venous thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: Intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) are common in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). We examined whether small juxtacortical hemorrhages (JCHs) are characteristic for CVT and studied their radiological and pathological properties. METHODS: We identified all patients with CVT and an ICH at baseline admitted between 2000 and 2011 (prospectively from July 2006). JCH was defined as a hemorrhage (diameter < 20mm) located in the white matter just below the cortex. To determine the specificity of JCHs for CVT, we examined the frequency of JCHs in a control group of patients of similar age with an ICH not related to CVT. RESULTS: Of 114 patients with CVT, 53 had an ICH. JCHs were present in 14 of the 53 (26%). The remaining 39 had other kinds of hemorrhages. Papilledema was more common among patients with a JCH compared to patients with other types of ICHs (44% vs 9%, p = 0.01). All patients with a JCH except 1 had thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus, compared to 49% of patients with CVT and other kinds of hemorrhages (p = 0.004). Reanalysis of all imaging data and histopathologic analysis in 1 patient showed that JCHs are located near the U-fibers and that they follow the curvature of the cortex. Among 196 control patients (spontaneous ICH, not caused by CVT), only 3 patients had a JCH. One of these 3 appeared on re-examination of all imaging results to have had CVT. INTERPRETATION: Small nontraumatic JCHs are a characteristic feature of CVT and are rarely encountered in other conditions.