Inflammatory bowel disease and cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

Clinical and epidemiological studies have shown that inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can increase the risks of cerebral artery and venous thrombosis. The pathogenesis of cerebrovascular disease in IBD remains unclear. IBD itself and its accompanying hypercoagulable state may be the main reasons. Clinicians familiar with neurological manifestations of IBD, early initiation of risk assessment for thromboembolism, and timely multidisciplinary consultation are very important for early diagnosis. The inpatients with IBD should receive the active measures of thromboprophylaxis. Usually, the preventive use of low-molecular-weight heparin is safe for patients at high risk of thrombosis. The treatment scheme for IBD patients with cerebral infarction and cerebral venous thrombosis is the same as other cerebrovascular diseases, but the most critical is that the treatment and remission of IBD itself. In case of emergency, intra-arterial local thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy can be used; however, any benefits should be weighed against the high risk of intestinal bleeding. Key words: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Venous Thrombosis; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial; Anticoagulants; Risk Factors