The Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis During Pregnancy and Puerperium in China [32Q

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) has a relatively low incidence among young women, although both pregnancy and delivery can substantially increase the risk. Due to the specific physiology of pregnancy and puerperium, CVT may manifest different characteristics. This study aimed to identify the clinical manifestations and prognosis of CVT during pregnancy and puerperium. METHODS: A total of 43 pregnancy-associated CVT patients were identified and enrolled in the present study. We analyzed the relevant risk factors and clinical presentations of the disease. RESULTS: Our descriptive results showed that 1) the incidence of pregnancy-associated CVT was 202 per 100,000 deliveries, and the mortality rate was 11.63%; 2) the most frequent symptom of pregnancy-associated CVT was headache (zs > 3.97, ps < .0001); 3); and 4) the superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus were the most frequent locations for CVT during pregnancy and puerperium (zs > 2.58, ps < .01). Moreover, the results of univariate regression analyses indicated that an increased modified Rankin Scale score was positively associated with infection, seizure, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy (ps = .000, .010, 000, .010). Comparably, the results of a chi-square test demonstrated that the occurrence of death was positively and significantly associated with infection, seizure and ICH (ps = .000, .034, 020). CONCLUSION: Amongst patients with CVT during pregnancy and puerperium, infection, seizure, ICH and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy were independently associated with a worse prognosis. Patients with infection, seizure and ICH who exhibit pregnancy-associated CVT have a greater risk of death.