Risk of recurrence of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis during subsequent pregnancy and puerperium.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the risk of recurrence of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) during subsequent pregnancy and puerperium in women with previous cerebral venous occlusive disease.


METHODS
The authors retrospectively studied the relapse rate of CVST and the incidence of extracerebral venous thrombosis during subsequent pregnancies in 39 women (from 125 patients with CVST) who suffered a CVST at childbearing age.


RESULTS
Mean follow up was 10.25 years (range 1 to 20). Twenty two pregnancies and 19 births were observed in 14 women without evidence of either recurrence of CVST or extracerebral venous thrombosis. One pregnancy occurred during oral anticoagulation and was interrupted and two pregnancies ended with spontaneous abortions. Low dose heparin had been given during five pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of recurrence for CVST during pregnancy seems to be low and these data do not justify a negative advice on pregnancy in women with previous CVST. Further studies are needed to evaluate the need for a prophylactic anticoagulation during pregnancy and puerperium.
Mehraein
S
S
Department of Neurology, Charité Medical School, Humboldt-Universität, Berlin, Germany.
Ortwein
H
H
Busch
M
M
Weih
M
M
Einhäupl
K
K
Masuhr
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D010298:Parity; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006493:Heparin