Short insight of pediatric cerebral venous thrombosis and the safety of intra-arterial heparin flushing as a new therapeutic method

Abstract

Introduction. The incidence rate of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (CVT) in children has been increased quite significantly due to the availability of advanced imaging technology and the trends of increasing awareness about health-related problem. Systemic anticoagulant was mainstay treatment for CVT. The author proposed a method of heparin deliveries through existing Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) procedure called Intra-arterial Heparin Flushing (IAHF). The safety of this procedure in children was still few known and reported. The purpose of this study is to provide insights on CVT and the potential complication of IAHF as the primary therapeutic modality.Methods. This was a descriptive longitudinal study involving all patients with age 0-18 years diagnosed with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis whom admitted in RSPAD Gatot Soebroto from 2016 to 2018 through MRI examination and will undergo IAHF Procedure as the primary treatment. All subject had signed informed consent regarding the nature of the study. The descriptive data were presented in tables and narratives.Results. The study found that the highest age group found in this study was between 6-12 years old (46,6%) with male-predominant (70,6%). The origins of the patients were mostly from Indonesia (88%) and several from Vietnam (12%). The most common symptoms of CVT in this study was the speech/communication problem (12%). The most common complication after IAHF procedure was wound swelling at the puncture site (2,6%).Conclusion. CVT predominantly affect male aged 6-12 years old with speech problem was the most common symptoms. IAHF procedure shown minimal side effects in pediatric with CVT.