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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Neuroanaesth Crit Care 2019; 06(02): 140-144
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1692023
Review Article
Indian Society of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Reviewing Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies

Yasmin A. O'Keefe
1   Department of Neurology, Duke University Hospital, DUMC, Durham, North Carolina, United States
,
Peter G. Kranz
2   Department of Radiology, Duke University Hospital, DUMC, Durham, North Carolina, United States
,
Keith E. Dombrowski
1   Department of Neurology, Duke University Hospital, DUMC, Durham, North Carolina, United States
,
Brad J. Kolls
1   Department of Neurology, Duke University Hospital, DUMC, Durham, North Carolina, United States
,
Michael L. James
3   Department of Anesthesiology and Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 28 January 2019

Accepted after revision: 11 April 2019

Publication Date:
04 June 2019 (online)

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Abstract

This review discusses cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), including diagnosis and treatment strategies, a rare class of stroke that, if unrecognized or untreated, can have devastating effects. Thrombosis of one or many cerebral veins leads to propagation of thrombosis and impaired cerebral venous drainage. Diagnosis is made using a combination of history and imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT) venogram, which demonstrates thrombosis. Currently, acute treatment consists of heparin infusion with transition to long-term oral anticoagulation. Further research, especially on prevention, endovascular therapy, and the role of newer anticoagulants (direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) is necessary and ongoing.

Keywords

cerebral venous thrombosis - anticoagulation - venous hemorrhage
 

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