Heparin in the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis.
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a potentially life-threatening condition requiring rapid diagnosis and urgent treatment. Heparin anticoagulation is the time-honoured treatment, and is advocated in all cases of CVT, irrespective of etiology or presence of haemorrhage. The supportive evidence is largely observational; data from randomized placebo-controlled trials shows a nonsignificant trend favouring heparin. Current practice is to begin heparin (unfractionated or low-molecular weight) immediately on confirmation of the diagnosis. Newer antithrombotic agents such as ximelagatran may offer advantages over heparin and need to be investigated in the treatment of CVT.
Shafqat
Saad
S
Department of Medicine (Neurology), Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi.
Kamal
Ayeesha K
AK
Wasay
Mohammad
M
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002550:Cerebral Veins / Q000473:pathology*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D020767:Intracranial Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015912:Thrombolytic Therapy; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin