Management of Venous Sinus Thrombosis

Abstract

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare subtype of cerebrovascular disease representing 0.5% of strokes. The signs and symptoms of CVST are often nonspecific, and variable in duration, with the common results being delayed diagnosis and treatment. Increased awareness in the medical community and advancements in imaging modalities have produced faster diagnosis with improved patient outcomes. The preferred initial treatment is with a low molecular weight heparin. After the acute stage of CVST, treatment with a vitamin K antagonist (oral anticoagulant therapy) is recommended. Current evidence suggests that in the future, factor Xa inhibitor drugs may be used for long-term therapy.

Keywords: Anticoagulation; Cerebral thrombosis; Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis; Heparin; Low molecular weight heparin; Sinus thrombosis; Venous stroke.