MD; for the ISCVT InvestigatorsBackground and Purpose-The natural history and long-term prognosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) have not been examined previously by adequately powered prospective studies. Methods-We performed a multinational (21 countries), multicenter (89 centers), prospective observational study. Patients were followed up at 6 months and yearly thereafter. Primary outcome was death or dependence as assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score Ͼ2 at the end of follow-up.

Background— The purpose of this statement is to provide an overview of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and to provide recommendations for its diagnosis, management, and treatment. The intended audience is physicians and other healthcare providers who are responsible for the diagnosis and management of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Methods and Results— Members of the panel were appointed by the American Heart Association Stroke Council's Scientific Statement Oversight Committee and represent different areas of expertise. The panel reviewed the relevant literature with an emphasis on reports published since 1966 and used the American Heart Association levels-of-evidence grading algorithm to rate the evidence and to make recommendations. After approval of the statement by the panel, it underwent peer review and approval by the American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Conclusions— Evidence-based recommendations are provided for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of recurrence of cerebral venous thrombosis. Recommendations on the evaluation and management of cerebral venous thrombosis during pregnancy and in the pediatric population are provided. Considerations for the management of clinical complications (seizures, hydrocephalus, intracranial hypertension, and neurological deterioration) are also summarized. An algorithm for diagnosis and management of patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is described.

Background and Purpose— The causes of death of patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) have not been systematically addressed in previous studies. We aimed to analyze the causes and predictors of death during the acute phase of CVT in the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT) to identify preventable or treatable causes. Methods— ISCVT is a multinational, prospective, observational study including 624 patients with CVT occurring between May 1998 and May 2001, in which 27 patients (4.3%) died during the acute phase, 21 (3.4%) within 30 days from symptom onset. Inclusion forms and a questionnaire assessing the causes of death were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors of death within 30 days from symptom onset of CVT. Results— Median time between onset of symptoms and death was 13 days and between diagnosis and death, 5 days. Causes of death were mainly transtentorial herniation due to a unilateral focal mass effect (10 patients) or to diffuse edema and multiple parenchymal lesions (10 patients). Independent predictors of death were coma (odds ratio [OR], 8.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.8 to 27.7), mental disturbance (OR, 2.5; 95% CI 0.9 to 7.3), deep CVT thrombosis (OR, 8.5; 95% CI, 2.6 to 27.8), right intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 10.6), and posterior fossa lesion (OR, 6.5; 95% CI, 1.3 to 31.7). Worsening of previous focal or de novo focal deficits increased the risk of death. Conclusions— The main causes of acute death were neurologic, the most frequent mechanism being transtentorial herniation.

Background and Purpose-Little is known about the gender-specific manifestations of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis, a disease that is much more common in women than men. Methods-We used data of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT), a multicenterprospective observational study, to analyze gender-specific differences in clinical presentation, etiology, and outcome of cerebral venous thrombosis. Results-Four hundred sixty-five of a total of 624 patients were women (75%). Women were significantly younger, had less often a chronic onset of symptoms, and had more often headache at presentation. There were no gender differences in ancillary investigations or treatment. A gender-specific risk factor (oral contraceptives, pregnancy, puerperium, and hormonal replacement therapy) was present in 65% of women. Women had a better prognosis than men (complete recovery 81% versus 71%l Pϭ0.01), which was entirely due to a better outcome in female patients with gender-specific risk factors. Women without gender-specific risk factors are similar to men in clinical presentation, risk factor profile, and outcome. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the absence of gender-specific risk factors is a strong and independent predictor of poor outcome in women with sinus thrombosis (OR, 3.7; CI, 1.9 to 7.4). Conclusions-Our study identified important differences between women and men in presentation, course, and risk factors of cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis and showed that women with a gender-specific risk factor have a much better prognosis than other patients.

Cerebral venous thrombosis is characterized by its clinical pleomorphism and pathogenetic variability. We studied 67 patients with cerebral venous thrombosis associated with pregnancy and puerperium and compared them with 46 other cases unrelated to obstetric causes to disclose differences in their clinical presentation, neuroradiological findings, clinical course, and prognosis. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical, laboratory, and neuroimaging findings of 113 patients collected consecutively at our institute. The diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis was confirmed by angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, or neuropathological study. Patients with cerebral venous thrombosis associated with pregnancy and puerperium were younger (average age, 26 versus 36 years), and in most, the onset of symptoms was acute (82% versus 54%; P = .003). The evolution of symptoms reached a plateau within 10 days in 70% of patients with thrombosis from obstetric causes, compared with only 45% in those from other causes (P = .01). Anemia was more frequent in the obstetric group (64% versus 26%; P = .00001). There were no differences regarding neurological and neuroradiological findings. Although the initial severity of illness was similar in both groups, the final outcome was considered good in 80% of patients with obstetric causes, compared with 58% of patients with other causes (P = .01); mortality rates were 9% and 33%, respectively (P = .002). Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with pregnancy and puerperium has a more acute onset and a better prognosis than thrombosis due to other causes. These findings might be helpful in the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.

Background and Purpose— Although intracerebral hemorrhages are frequent in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis, and lead to worse outcome, predictors of outcome in cerebral venous thrombosis patients with intracerebral hemorrhages have never been evaluated in adequately powered studies. Methods— This study was conducted as a part of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis. We evaluated predictors of outcome in cerebral venous thrombosis patients who had an “early intracerebral hemorrhage,” ie, intracerebral hemorrhages already present at time of diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis by a logistic regression analysis, with a modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 as dependent variable. The same analysis was performed with “delayed intracerebral hemorrhages,” ie, intracerebral hemorrhages that occurred after the diagnosis of cerebral venous thrombosis, as dependent variable. Results— Of 624 patients recruited in International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis, 245 (39%) had an early intracerebral hemorrhage: at month 6, 51 (21%) of them had a modified Rankin Scale 3 to 6. Independent predictors of having modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 were older age (adjusted odds ratio for 1-year increase in age, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.08); male gender (adjusted odds ratio, 3.25; 95% CI, 1.29 to 8.16); having a deep cerebral venous system thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio, 5.43; 95% CI, 1.67 to 17.61) or a right lateral sinus thrombosis (adjusted odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 6.40); and having a motor deficit (adjusted odds ratio, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.21 to 7.10). Of the 36 patients who had a delayed intracerebral hemorrhage, those who had a modified Rankin scale 3 to 6 at month 6 were less likely to have received heparin at the acute stage, and more likely to have had early intracerebral hemorrhage. Conclusion— Among patients with early intracerebral hemorrhage, those who were older, men, had a thrombosis of the deep cerebral venous system or of the right lateral sinus, and a motor deficit were at higher risk for death or dependency at month 6. This subgroup of patients with predictors of poor outcome can be the target for new therapeutic strategies.

MD; for the ISCVT InvestigatorsBackgound and Purpose-The risk of seizure early after the diagnosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) is not known, and the use of prophylactic antiepileptic (AED) medication in the acute phase of CVT is controversial. Methods-In a multicenter, prospective, observational study, we analyzed the risk factors for seizures experienced before the diagnosis of CVT was confirmed (presenting seizures) or within the following 2 weeks (early seizures). The risk of occurrence of early seizures was compared in 4 risk strata and related to whether patients received AEDs or not. Criteria for the strata were "presenting seizures" and "supratentorial lesions." Results-Two hundred forty-five of 624 (39.3%) patients with CVT experienced presenting seizures, and 43 (6.9%) patients had early seizure.

MD; for the ISCVT InvestigatorsBackgound and Purpose-The clinical features and prognosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) in elderly patients have not been previously described. Methods-In a multicenter prospective observational study, we compared clinical and imaging features, risk factors, and outcome of adult patients aged Ͻ65 (young and middle-aged patients) and Ն65 years (elderly patients). Results-A total of 624 adult patients with CVT were registered and followed-up for a median of 16 months. Fifty-one (8.2%) were aged Ն65 years. Presentation as an isolated intracranial hypertension syndrome was less frequent in elderly patients (4/51 versus 139/573, Pϭ0.008), whereas depressed consciousness (17 versus 97, Pϭ0.005), and mental status changes (22 versus 115, Pϭ0.001) were more frequent in the elderly. The prognosis of elderly patients was considerably worse than that of younger patients, as only 49% of elderly patients made a complete recovery (versus 82% in younger patients), whereas 27% died and 22% were dependent at the end of follow-up (versus 7 and 2% respectively in younger patients). Carcinoma (5 cases) was more frequent as a risk factor for CVT in elderly patients (Pϭ0.017). During follow-up, elderly patients were more likely to experience thrombotic events (HRϭ4.8, 95% CIϭ1.9 to 11.9) and were less likely to experience severe headaches (HRϭ0.2, 95% CIϭ0.02, 0.97). Conclusions-Elderly