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Cerebral venous thrombosis

Trombose venosa cerebral

ABSTRACT

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) consists of partial or complete occlusion of a sinus or a cerebral vein. CVT represents 0.5-1% of all strokes and is more frequent in young women. This review discusses particular aspects of CVT diagnosis and management: decompressive craniectomy (DC), anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), CVT after coronavirus-disease 19 (COVID-19) and Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT).

Keywords:
Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial; Decompressive Craniectomy; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines.

RESUMO

A trombose venosa cerebral (TVC) consiste na oclusão parcial ou completa de um seio ou de uma veia cerebral. A TVC representa 0,5-1% das doenças cerebrovasculares e é mais frequente em mulheres jovens. Esta revisão discute aspectos específicos do diagnóstico e do manejo da TVC: craniectomia descompressiva (DC), anticoagulação com anticoagulantes orais diretos (DOACs), TVC após infecção por coronavírus (COVID-19) e Trombocitopenia Trombótica Imune Induzida por Vacina (VITT).

Palavras-chave:
Trombose dos Seios Intracranianos; Craniectomia Descompressiva; COVID-19; Vacinas contra COVID-19

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) consists of the partial or complete occlusion of a sinus or a cerebral vein. The earliest description of CVT dates from the first half of the 19th century. Since then, it has become more and more recognized due to the widespread availability of advanced imaging techniques, such as CT venography, MR venography and digital subtraction angiography11. Silvis SM, Sousa DA, Ferro JM, Coutinho JM. Cerebral venous thrombosis. Nat Rev Neurol. 2017 Sep;13(9):555-65. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.104
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.10...
. CVT represents 0.5-1% of all strokes and most often affects young women22. Ulivi L, Squitieri M, Cohen H, Cowley P, Werring DV. Cerebral venous thrombosis: a practical guide. Pract Neurol. 2020 Oct;20(5):356-67. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002415
https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019...
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The most common occlusion sites are the transverse sinuses (44-73%), the superior sagittal sinus (39-62%), sigmoid sinus (40-47%), deep venous system (10.9%) and cortical veins (3.7-17.1%)33. Idiculla PS, Gurala D, Palanisamy M, Vijayakumar R, Dhandapani S, Nagarajan E. Cerebral venous thrombosis: a comprehensive review. Eur Neurol. 2020 Oct;83(4):369-79. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509802
https://doi.org/10.1159/000509802...
. The clinical presentation of CVT is variable. Headache is usually the most common symptom (88.8%), followed by seizures (39.3%) and paresis (37.2%). It may also present with other focal neurologic deficits or altered mental status44. Ferro JM, Canhão P, Stam J, Bousser M-G, Barinagarrementeria F; ISCVT Investigators. Prognosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis: results of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT). Stroke. 2004 Feb 19;35(3):664-70. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.0000117571.76197.26
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.000011757...
. Intracranial hemorrhage occurs in 30-40% of the patients55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
. Management is based on anticoagulation, even in most of the patients with hemorrhagic lesions. Heparin in the acute phase, followed by vitamin K antagonists (VKA), is the standard approach. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been discussed as potential options66. Ferro JM, Coutinho JM, Dentali F, Kobayashi A, Alasheev A, Canhão P, et al. Safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate vs dose-adjusted warfarin in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2019 Dec 1;76(12):1457-65. http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2764
http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2...
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CVT has a good prognosis compared to other types of cerebrovascular disorders. The Prognosis of Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis: Results of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT) study identified factors associated with poor outcomes: male gender, age above 37 years, GCS <9 on admission, deep venous system thrombosis, hemorrhagic lesions, central nervous system infection and malignancy44. Ferro JM, Canhão P, Stam J, Bousser M-G, Barinagarrementeria F; ISCVT Investigators. Prognosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis: results of the International Study on Cerebral Vein and Dural Sinus Thrombosis (ISCVT). Stroke. 2004 Feb 19;35(3):664-70. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.0000117571.76197.26
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.000011757...
. The CVT risk score77. Ferro JM, Bacelar-Nicolau H, Rodrigues T, Bacelar-Nicolau L, Canhão P, Crassard I, et al. Risk score to predict the outcome of patients with cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2009 Jun;28(1):39-44. https://doi.org/10.1159/000215942
https://doi.org/10.1159/000215942...
is aimed to predict outcome after six months of CVT and it was developed based on ISCVT data. It ranges from 0 to 9 and, with a cut-off of 3 points, it has a sensitivity of 95.5% and a specificity of 13.6%, being useful to identify high-risk patients.

About 15% of patients with CVT die or remain disabled22. Ulivi L, Squitieri M, Cohen H, Cowley P, Werring DV. Cerebral venous thrombosis: a practical guide. Pract Neurol. 2020 Oct;20(5):356-67. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002415
https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019...
,66. Ferro JM, Coutinho JM, Dentali F, Kobayashi A, Alasheev A, Canhão P, et al. Safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate vs dose-adjusted warfarin in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2019 Dec 1;76(12):1457-65. http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2764
http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2...
. The main cause of death in the acute phase is transtentorial herniation secondary to a large hemorrhagic lesion or to diffuse brain edema88. Ferro JM, Canhão P, Sousa DA. Cerebral venous thrombosis. Presse Med. 2016 Dec;45(12 Pt 2):e429-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.00...
. Good outcomes were reported in most of the patients treated with decompressive craniectomy (DC) after CVT in observational studies55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
,99. Ferro JM, Crassard I, Coutinho JM, Canhão P, Barinagarrementeria F, Cucchiara B, et al. Decompressive surgery in cerebrovenous thrombosis: a multicenter registry and a systematic review of individual patient data. Stroke 2011 Oct;42(10):2825-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.615393
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.61...
-1313. Raza E, Shamim MS, Wadiwala MF, Ahmed B, Kamal AK. Decompressive surgery for malignant cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a retrospective case series from Pakistan and comparative literature review. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan 1;23(1):e13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.07.045
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
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Permanent (e.g., genetic thrombophilia) and transient (e.g., puerperium, infections, oral contraceptives) risk factors can increase the risk of CVT88. Ferro JM, Canhão P, Sousa DA. Cerebral venous thrombosis. Presse Med. 2016 Dec;45(12 Pt 2):e429-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.00...
. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) have emerged as risk factors after the onset of the pandemic1414. Schultz NH, Sørvoll IH, Michelsen AE, Munthe LA, Lund-Johansen F, Ahlen MT, et al. Thrombosis and thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 3;384(22):2124-30. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882...
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We reviewed specific aspects of CVT diagnosis and management: decompressive craniectomy (DC), anticoagulation with DOACs, CVT after COVID-19 and VITT.

DECOMPRESSIVE CRANIECTOMY

Randomized clinical trials showed that DC decreases mortality and major disability in selected patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarction1515. Rajwani KM, Crocker M, Moynihan B. Decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. Br J Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;31(4):401-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2017.1329518
https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2017.13...
. Until now, no randomized clinical trials were performed to assess the benefits of DC in patients with CVT. Information is limited to case series and systematic reviews55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
,99. Ferro JM, Crassard I, Coutinho JM, Canhão P, Barinagarrementeria F, Cucchiara B, et al. Decompressive surgery in cerebrovenous thrombosis: a multicenter registry and a systematic review of individual patient data. Stroke 2011 Oct;42(10):2825-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.615393
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.61...
,1616. Avanali R, Gopalakrishnan MS, Devi BI, Bhat DI, Shukla DP, Shanbhag NC. Role of decompressive craniectomy in the management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Front Neurol. 2019 May 15;10:511. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00511
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.00511...
. Here, we discuss some questions about DC in CVT.

Who should undergo DC, and when?

Coutinho et al.1010. Coutinho JM, Majoie CBLM, Coert BA, Stam J. Decompressive hemicraniectomy in cerebral sinus thrombosis: consecutive case series and review of the literature. Stroke. 2009 Jun;40(6):2233-5. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.543421
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.54...
reported three patients treated with DC and reviewed 10 additional cases reported in the literature. Patients underwent surgery after presenting third nerve palsy or deterioration on the Glasgow coma score (GCS) caused by large cerebral edema (midline shift of 9-15mm) associated with hemorrhagic lesions. In this series, 11/13 patients had a good outcome defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRS)1717. van Swieten JC, Koudstaal PJ, Visser MC, Schouten HJ, van Gijn J. Interobserver agreement for the assessment of handicap in stroke patients. Stroke. 1988 May 1;19(5):604-7. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.19.5.604
https://doi.org/10.1161/01.str.19.5.604...
≦3. Théaudin et al.1111. Théaudin M, Crassard I, Bresson D, Saliou G, Favrole P, Vahedi K, et al. Should decompressive surgery be performed in malignant cerebral venous thrombosis? A series of 12 patients. Stroke. 2010 Feb 25;41(4):727-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.572909
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.109.57...
reported a series of 12 patients with CVT and decreased consciousness with dilated pupils or radiological signs of transtentorial herniation (median midline shift of 12mm). Eight were treated with DC and four were not. All patients who did not undergo craniectomy died. Seven of 8 patients who underwent craniectomy survived. In the last follow-up (median, 23.1 months) 6/7 survivors presented no disability, with scores of 0 or 1 in the mRS. Ferro et al.99. Ferro JM, Crassard I, Coutinho JM, Canhão P, Barinagarrementeria F, Cucchiara B, et al. Decompressive surgery in cerebrovenous thrombosis: a multicenter registry and a systematic review of individual patient data. Stroke 2011 Oct;42(10):2825-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.615393
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.61...
reviewed 69 cases of CVT treated with DC. Only 12 (17.4%) had an unfavorable outcome (mRS 5-6) at last follow-up (median, 12 months). Aaron et al.1212. Aaron S, Alexander M, Moorthy RK, Mani S, Mathew V, Patil AKB, et al. Decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous thrombosis: a single centre experience. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 Aug 6;84(9):995-1000. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356
https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356...
reported 44 patients with or without hemorrhagic lesions who underwent DC. The mortality rate was 20% (9/44). mRS≦2 was achieved in 27/35 (77.1%) of the survivors. Zhang et al.55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
analyzed 58 patients with hemorrhagic CVT who had undergone DC and 33 (56.9%) achieved a favorable outcome (mRS 0-2) at the 6-month follow-up.

Similar results were described in developing countries. Vivakaran et al.1818. Vivakaran TTR, Srinivas D, Kulkarni GB, Somanna S. The role of decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. J Neurosurg. 2012 Oct;117(4):738-44. https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102
https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102...
reported that 26/34 (76.5%) of patients in India had a favorable functional outcome (Glasgow outcome scale1919. McMillan T, Wilson L, Ponsford J, Levin H, Teasdale G, Bond M. The Glasgow Outcome Scale - 40 years of application and refinement. Nat Rev Neurol. 2016 Aug;12(8):477-85. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.89
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.89...
4-5) after DC. All patients had hemorrhagic infarctions with midline shift (mean, 10.6mm). A retrospective series from Pakistan1313. Raza E, Shamim MS, Wadiwala MF, Ahmed B, Kamal AK. Decompressive surgery for malignant cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a retrospective case series from Pakistan and comparative literature review. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan 1;23(1):e13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.07.045
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
described good functional outcome (mRS 0-2) in 4/7 (57.1%) of the operated patients.

Final results from Decompressive Neurosurgery for Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Prospective Multicenter Registry (DECOMPRESS2) cohort were presented at the 7th European Stroke Organization Conference. Despite a severe clinical condition at baseline, patients kept improving even after 6 months of follow-up. About 2/3 of CVT patients were alive, and 1/3 were independent (mRS 0-2) one year after the surgery, consisting of DC with or without hematoma drainage. DC was considered a worthwhile procedure by more than 80% of patients and caregivers2020. Aaron S, Van Kammen MS, Conforto A, Arauz A, Carvalho M, Masjuan J, et al. Decompressive neurosurgery for patients with severe cerebral venous thrombosis: final results of the DECOMPRESS2 study [Internet]. Eur Stroke J; 2021 Sep 1 [2022 Mar 13]. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/23969873211034932
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10...
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In summary, emergency decompressive surgery is a life-saving intervention in patients with mass effect and midline shift who worsen despite adequate anticoagulation. This indication is supported by an AHA/ASA statement2121. Saposnik G, Barinagarrementeria F, Brown RD Jr, Bushnell CD, Cucchiara B, Cushman M, et al. Diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011 Feb 3;42(4):1158-92. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a8364
https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a...
and by the ESO-EAN guideline2222. Ferro JM, Bousser M-G, Canhão P, Coutinho JM, Crassard I, Dentali F, et al. European Stroke Organization guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis - endorsed by the European Academy of Neurology. Eur J Neurol. 2017 Oct;24(10):1203-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381...
. There is a scarcity of data regarding DC in patients with CVT because of logical ethical issues, leading to potential bias due to non-uniform criteria to indicate this procedure. Some authors have selected patients by the radiologic status, such as the presence of hemorrhagic lesions or the extent of midline shift. Others prefer to select patients by clinical status, defined by GCS or pupillary reaction. Decisions should be individualized. According to the results of DECOMPRESS-2, outcomes in patients with CVT treated with DC, with or without hematoma drainage, are worse than previously believed based on systematic reviews, but are still two times better than in patients with malignant middle cerebral artery infarcts submitted to DC1515. Rajwani KM, Crocker M, Moynihan B. Decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. Br J Neurosurg. 2017 Aug;31(4):401-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2017.1329518
https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2017.13...
.

When it comes to the optimal timing of surgery, there are conflicting opinions. Vivakaran et al.1818. Vivakaran TTR, Srinivas D, Kulkarni GB, Somanna S. The role of decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. J Neurosurg. 2012 Oct;117(4):738-44. https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102
https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102...
concluded that the duration of coma or the time between neurological deterioration and surgery was not of a significant predictor of surgical outcome. On the other hand, Aaron et al.1212. Aaron S, Alexander M, Moorthy RK, Mani S, Mathew V, Patil AKB, et al. Decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous thrombosis: a single centre experience. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 Aug 6;84(9):995-1000. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356
https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356...
reported that surgery delayed by >12 h is a significant predictor of mortality. The time from symptom onset to surgery was also considered a potential risk factor for poor outcomes by Zhang et al.55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
. Raza et al.1313. Raza E, Shamim MS, Wadiwala MF, Ahmed B, Kamal AK. Decompressive surgery for malignant cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a retrospective case series from Pakistan and comparative literature review. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan 1;23(1):e13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.07.045
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
proposed that early intervention, when GCS scores start to decrease but the pupillary response is still preserved, may be the best moment for surgery. Despite divergent data, we believe that early surgery, before irreversible damage occurs due to herniation, is preferable. However, there is a need for more evidence about the optimal moment for DC in CVT.

How should DC be performed?

Depending on the location of the lesion, craniectomy may be performed by different approaches99. Ferro JM, Crassard I, Coutinho JM, Canhão P, Barinagarrementeria F, Cucchiara B, et al. Decompressive surgery in cerebrovenous thrombosis: a multicenter registry and a systematic review of individual patient data. Stroke 2011 Oct;42(10):2825-31. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.615393
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.111.61...
. Bilateral frontal lobe involvement, usually secondary to anterior superior sagittal sinus thrombosis, has rarely been treated with bifrontal craniectomies, while posterior craniectomies are required to treat posterior fossa lesions.

Dural opening is a standard approach55. Zhang S, Zhao H, Li H, You C, Hui X. Decompressive craniectomy in hemorrhagic cerebral venous thrombosis: clinicoradiological features and risk factors. J Neurosurg. 2016 Oct 21;127(4):709-15. https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112
https://doi.org/10.3171/2016.8.JNS161112...
.1010. Coutinho JM, Majoie CBLM, Coert BA, Stam J. Decompressive hemicraniectomy in cerebral sinus thrombosis: consecutive case series and review of the literature. Stroke. 2009 Jun;40(6):2233-5. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.543421
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.108.54...
-1212. Aaron S, Alexander M, Moorthy RK, Mani S, Mathew V, Patil AKB, et al. Decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous thrombosis: a single centre experience. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2013 Aug 6;84(9):995-1000. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356
https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2012-303356...
,1818. Vivakaran TTR, Srinivas D, Kulkarni GB, Somanna S. The role of decompressive craniectomy in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. J Neurosurg. 2012 Oct;117(4):738-44. https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102
https://doi.org/10.3171/2012.6.JNS11102...
,2323. Mahale R, Mehta A, Varma RG, Hegde AS, Purushottam TA, Srinivasa R. Decompressive surgery in malignant cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: what predicts its outcome? J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2017 May;43(4):530-9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-017-1489-x
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-017-1489-...
. Hematoma evacuation is also not mandatory, being reserved for large hematoma volumes with mass effect, and is a matter of debate. The brain flap is often replaced after 3-6 months, after the brain swelling resolves22. Ulivi L, Squitieri M, Cohen H, Cowley P, Werring DV. Cerebral venous thrombosis: a practical guide. Pract Neurol. 2020 Oct;20(5):356-67. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002415
https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019...
.

When should anticoagulation be restarted?

AHA/ASA and ESO-EAN guidelines do not provide any specific recommendation about the optimal time to return anticoagulation after surgery2121. Saposnik G, Barinagarrementeria F, Brown RD Jr, Bushnell CD, Cucchiara B, Cushman M, et al. Diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011 Feb 3;42(4):1158-92. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a8364
https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a...
,2222. Ferro JM, Bousser M-G, Canhão P, Coutinho JM, Crassard I, Dentali F, et al. European Stroke Organization guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis - endorsed by the European Academy of Neurology. Eur J Neurol. 2017 Oct;24(10):1203-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381...
. Furthermore, there are no specific guidelines about the timing of anticoagulation for CVT after hemicraniectomy2424. Pizzi MA, Alejos DA, Siegel JL, Kim BYS, Miller DA, Freeman WD. Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with intracranial hemorrhage and timing of anticoagulation after hemicraniectomy. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2016 Sep 1;25(9):2312-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2016.05.025
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
. Anticoagulation has been restarted between 12 hours and 8 days after surgery and must be individualized22. Ulivi L, Squitieri M, Cohen H, Cowley P, Werring DV. Cerebral venous thrombosis: a practical guide. Pract Neurol. 2020 Oct;20(5):356-67. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002415
https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019...
,1313. Raza E, Shamim MS, Wadiwala MF, Ahmed B, Kamal AK. Decompressive surgery for malignant cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: a retrospective case series from Pakistan and comparative literature review. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2014 Jan 1;23(1):e13-22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.07.045
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
.

DOACs AND CVT

Anticoagulation is the standard approach to treat CVT, and most of the time, is performed even when intracranial hemorrhage is present. Heparin followed by VKA is recommended by current guidelines2121. Saposnik G, Barinagarrementeria F, Brown RD Jr, Bushnell CD, Cucchiara B, Cushman M, et al. Diagnosis and management of cerebral venous thrombosis: a statement for healthcare professionals from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. Stroke. 2011 Feb 3;42(4):1158-92. https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a8364
https://doi.org/10.1161/STR.0b013e31820a...
,2222. Ferro JM, Bousser M-G, Canhão P, Coutinho JM, Crassard I, Dentali F, et al. European Stroke Organization guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis - endorsed by the European Academy of Neurology. Eur J Neurol. 2017 Oct;24(10):1203-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.13381...
. This routine was initially derived from the management of venous thromboembolism (VTE) of other more usual sites, such as deep venous thrombosis (DVT), albeit there has always been concern about the risk of increase in size of intracranial hemorrhagic lesions. Over time, randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have endorsed the safety and effectiveness of anticoagulation with heparin followed by VKA in CVT2525. Einhäupl KM, Villringer A, Meister W, Mehraein S, Garner C, Pellkofer M, et al. Heparin treatment in sinus venous thrombosis. Lancet. 1991 Sep 7;338(8767):597-600. https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(91)90607-q
https://doi.org/10.1016/0140-6736(91)906...
-2727. Coutinho J, de Bruijn SFTM, deVeber G, Stam J. Anticoagulation for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Aug 10;2011(8):CD002005. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002005.pub2
https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD00200...
.

More recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as alternatives to warfarin for treatment of patients with VTE2828. Kearon C, Akl EA, Ornelas J, Blaivas A, Jimenez D, Bounameaux H, et al. Antithrombotic Therapy for VTE Disease: CHEST Guideline and Expert Panel Report. Chest. 2016 Feb;149(2):315-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2015.11.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2015.11....
,2929. Ortel TL, Neumann I, Ageno W, Beyth R, Clark NP, Cuker A, et al. American Society of Hematology 2020 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Blood Adv. 2020 Oct 13;4(19):4693-738. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020001830
https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.20...
and for secondary embolism prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF)3030. January CT, Wann LS, Calkins H, Chen LY, Cigarroa JE, Cleveland JC Jr, et al. 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS Focused Update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society in collaboration with the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. 2019 Jul 9;140(2):e125-151. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000665
https://doi.org/10.1161/CIR.000000000000...
,3131. Hindricks G, Potpara T, Dagres N, Arbelo E, Bax JJ, Blomström-Lundqvist C, et al. 2020 ESC guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS): the task force for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC. Eur Heart J. 2021 Feb 1;42(5):373-498. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa612
https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa61...
. The safety and efficacy of DOACs have been well demonstrated in AF and VTE populations3232. Connolly SJ, Ezekowitz MD, Yusuf S, Eikelboom J, Oldgren J, Parekh A, et al. Dabigatran versus warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med. 2009 Sep 17;361(12):1139-51. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0905561
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa0905561...
-3636. Agnelli G, Buller HR, Cohen A, Curto M, Gallus AS, Johnson M, et al. Oral apixaban for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2013 Aug 29;369(9):799-808. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1302507
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1302507...
. Anticoagulant effects of DOAC do not require monitoring, and the potential for interactions with other drugs is lower for DOACs than for warfarin. The performance of clinical trials that compare DOACs and warfarin for prevention of CVT recurrence is challenging given the relative low frequency of CVT in the general population.

The Safety and Efficacy of Dabigatran Etexilate vs Dose-Adjusted Warfarin in Patients With Cerebral Venous Thrombosis - A Randomized Clinical Trial (RE-SPECT-CVT)66. Ferro JM, Coutinho JM, Dentali F, Kobayashi A, Alasheev A, Canhão P, et al. Safety and efficacy of dabigatran etexilate vs dose-adjusted warfarin in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Neurol. 2019 Dec 1;76(12):1457-65. http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2764
http://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.2...
is the only published randomized controlled trial that compared outcomes between patients treated with dabigatran, a thrombin inhibitor, and VKA. The study included patients aged 18-79 years, clinically stable after receiving acute CVT treatment. The exclusion criteria were: CVT associated with central nervous system infection or major head trauma, major bleeding in the previous six months, malignancy, and creatinine clearance level less than 30ml/min. In this trial, 120 patients were randomized to DOAC or warfarin after 5-15 days of the initial acute treatment with unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin. In the warfarin group, the target international normalized ratio (INR) goal was 2-3. The dose of dabigatran was 150mg twice daily. The primary outcome was the composite of major bleeding or VTE (recurrent CVT, DVT, pulmonary embolism (PE) or splanchnic vein thrombosis). Patients were followed up to 25 weeks. No recurrence of VTE was observed in either group. One major hemorrhage occurred in the dabigatran group, and two, in the warfarin group. Despite the same risk of recurrence and similar few major bleeding events, it was not possible to demonstrate the noninferiority or superiority of either treatment because of the limited simple size and the low rates of VTE recurrence and hemorrhagic complications.

Connor et al.3737. Connor P, van Kammen MS, Lensing AWA, Chalmers E, Kállay K, Hege K, et al. Safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban in pediatric cerebral venous thrombosis (EINSTEIN-Jr CVT). Blood Adv. 2020 Dec 22;4(24):6250-8. https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2020003244
https://doi.org/10.1182/bloodadvances.20...
assessed the use of DOAC in children with venous thrombosis. One hundred and seventeen children were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either open-label rivaroxaban or standard VKA anticoagulation. The inclusion criteria were children with CVT already being treated with unfractionated heparin, low-molecular-weight heparin, or fondaparinux. The major exclusion criteria were active bleeding or a high risk of bleeding, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2. The primary outcome was symptomatic recurrent VTE (DVT; PE; CVT; or jugular, caval, renal, portal vein, or catheter-related thrombosis). The primary outcome was not observed in any of the patients in the rivaroxaban group and was reported in one subject in the warfarin group. Also, none of the children in the rivaroxaban group, and one in the warfarin group, presented a major hemorrhage. A similar effect on clot resolution was demonstrated in the rivaroxaban group, compared to the warfarin group.

Nepal et al.3838. Nepal G, Kharel S, Bhagat R, Shing YK, Coghlan MA, Poudyal P, et al. Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in cerebral venous thrombosis: a meta-analysis. Acta Neurol Scand. 2022 Jan;145(1):10-23. https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13506
https://doi.org/10.1111/ane.13506...
published a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of long-term use of DOAC for CVT treatment. In a comparative analysis of DOAC versus VKA, 295 patients were included in the DOAC group and 470 in the VKA group. No significant difference was observed between the rates of CVT in the two groups (1.03% vs. 1.06%, respectively; I²=0%).

The Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in the Treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis (ACTION-CVT): A Multicenter International Study was a large multicenter international retrospective cohort of patients diagnosed with CVT3939. Yaghi S, Shu L, Bakradze E, Omran SS, Giles JA, Amar JY, et al. Direct oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis (ACTION-CVT): a multicenter international study. Stroke. 2022 Feb 10;53(3):728-38. https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.037541
https://doi.org/10.1161/STROKEAHA.121.03...
. A total of 845 patients were included in the study between 2015 and 2020. Patients were excluded if a specific anticoagulation strategy (DOAC or warfarin) was preferred. For instance, in CVT associated with antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, warfarin is the drug of choice4040. Sayar Z, Moll R, Isenberg D, Cohen H. Thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome: a practical guide to diagnosis and management. Thromb Res. 2021 Feb 1;198:213-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.10.01
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020....
. In ACTION-CVT, 33% (279) of the patients received DOAC only, 51.8% (438) received warfarin only, and 15.1% (128) received both treatments at different times. Among patients who received DOAC, the majority (66.6%) received apixaban. The primary outcome, recurrent venous thrombosis (VTE or CVT), occurred in 5.26 per 100 patient-years in patients treated with DOACs versus 5.87 per 100 patient-years in subjects treated with warfarin (hazard ratio, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.47-1.56]; P=0.61). Treatment with DOAC was associated with similar risks of death, as well as with rates of recanalization, compared to treatment with warfarin. Major hemorrhage was significantly less frequent in patients treated with DOACs than in those treated with warfarin (HR=0.35; 95% CI=0.15-0.82; P=0.02). The conclusions from the study are limited by the potential of bias, considering the retrospective design. Also, the number of patients treated with DOACs was smaller than the number of subjects treated with warfarin.

These preliminary studies suggest that DOACs may be safely administered and that the risk of recurrence on DOACs or warfarin is low in patients who fulfill eligibility criteria for RE-SPECT-CVT and ACTION-CVT. Two ongoing studies, the observational DOAC-CVT (Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, NCT04660747), and the randomized SECRET phase 2 clinical trial (Study of Rivaroxaban for Cerebral Venous Thrombosis, NCT03178864), are expected to provide more information about the use of DOACs for prevention of thrombotic events after CVT.

CVT IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with vascular and neurological manifestations4141. Hameed S, Wasay M, Soomro BA, Mansour O, Abd-allah F, Tu T, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with COVID-19 infection: an observational, multicenter study. Cerebrovasc Dis Extra. 2021 May-Aug;11(2):55-60. https://doi.org/10.1159/000516641
https://doi.org/10.1159/000516641...
. Up to 1/3 of critically ill patients with COVID-19 may present thromboembolic phenomena4242. Klok FA, Kruip MJHA, van der Meer NJM, Arbous MS, Gommers DAMPJ, Kant KM, et al. Incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19. Thromb Res. 2020 Jul 1;191:P145-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020.04.013
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.thromres.2020....
. Hughes et al.4343. Hughes C, Nichols T, Pike M, Subbe C, Elghenzai S. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as a presentation of COVID-19. Eur J Case Rep Intern Med. 2020 Apr 29;7(5):001691. https://doi.org/10.12890/2020_001691
https://doi.org/10.12890/2020_001691...
reported the first case of CVT in a patient with COVID and since then, several cases of CVT in COVID have been reported. In a retrospective cohort study with over 500,000 COVID-19 cases, the incidence of CVT within two weeks after the diagnosis of COVID-19 was 42.8 per million people, about three times higher than before the pandemic11. Silvis SM, Sousa DA, Ferro JM, Coutinho JM. Cerebral venous thrombosis. Nat Rev Neurol. 2017 Sep;13(9):555-65. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.104
https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2017.10...
,88. Ferro JM, Canhão P, Sousa DA. Cerebral venous thrombosis. Presse Med. 2016 Dec;45(12 Pt 2):e429-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.007
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lpm.2016.10.00...
.

Baldini et al.4444. Baldini T, Asioli GM, Romoli M, Dias MC, Schulte EC, Hauer L, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Oct;28(10):3478-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727...
published a systematic review and meta-analysis of CVT in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including a total of 57 CVT cases from 28 different studies. The mean age was 53.5 years and gender was equally distributed. CVT preceded the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection in only four cases. The interval from the onset of COVID-19 respiratory symptoms to the symptoms of CVT ranged from 0 to 47 days. None of the patients had thrombophilia or history of prior episodes of venous thrombosis. Five women were taking oral contraceptives, two subjects had solid tumors, one had polycythemia, another one had a traumatic skull fracture and one child had concomitant tuberculous meningitis. The sites of thrombosis were reported in 43 patients: the transverse sinus was involved in 65%, the sigmoid sinus, in 47%, the superior sagittal sinus, in 44% and the straight sinus, in 21%. The involvement of multiple venous sinuses was frequent. Imaging showed hemorrhagic lesions in 42% of the cases. Fibrinogen levels were abnormal in 54.5% of the patients (mean, 490.8 ± 112.9 mg/dl) and d-dimer levels, in all but two cases (mean, 7812 ± 15 ng/ml). Anticoagulants were administered to 95% of the patients. The in-hospital death rate was 40%.

Multiple mechanisms may play a role in the risk of thrombosis in patients with CVT and COVID-19. An important mechanism is the linkage of the coronavirus to the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 receptor expressed in vascular endothelial cells, leading to direct endothelial damage. All components of the Virchow’s triad (endothelial dysfunction, altered flow dynamic and hypercoagulable state) may be present4545. Ghosh R, Roy D, Mandal A, Pal SK, Swaika BC, Naga D, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis in COVID-19. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 May-Jun;15(3):1039-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.04.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.04.02...
.

Headache, focal motor deficits and seizures are the main symptoms, just like CVT in patients without COVID-194141. Hameed S, Wasay M, Soomro BA, Mansour O, Abd-allah F, Tu T, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis associated with COVID-19 infection: an observational, multicenter study. Cerebrovasc Dis Extra. 2021 May-Aug;11(2):55-60. https://doi.org/10.1159/000516641
https://doi.org/10.1159/000516641...
,4444. Baldini T, Asioli GM, Romoli M, Dias MC, Schulte EC, Hauer L, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Oct;28(10):3478-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727...
. Therefore, patients presenting with these symptoms should prompt investigation of cerebrovascular events4646. Hinduja A, Nalleballe K, Onteddu S, Kovvuru S, Hussein O. Impact of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Jun 15;425:117448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117448
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11744...
. Anticoagulation is the standard treatment approach4545. Ghosh R, Roy D, Mandal A, Pal SK, Swaika BC, Naga D, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis in COVID-19. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 May-Jun;15(3):1039-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.04.026
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2021.04.02...
. Different studies described higher death rates in patients with CVT and COVID-19 compared with those without COVID-19. This finding may be related to a more aggressive hypercoagulable state or to the severity of COVID-19 itself4444. Baldini T, Asioli GM, Romoli M, Dias MC, Schulte EC, Hauer L, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Oct;28(10):3478-90. https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727
https://doi.org/10.1111/ene.14727...
,4646. Hinduja A, Nalleballe K, Onteddu S, Kovvuru S, Hussein O. Impact of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with COVID-19. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Jun 15;425:117448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117448
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11744...
,4747. Tu TM, Goh C, Tan YK, Leow AS, Pang YZ, Chien J, et al. Cerebral venous thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 Infection: a case series and systematic review. J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis. 2020 Dec;29(12):105379. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2020.105379
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jstrokecerebro...
.

VACCINE-INDUCED IMMUNE THROMBOTIC THROMBOCYTOPENIA (VITT)

After vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was initiated in Europe and North America, a new prothrombotic syndrome, VITT, was associated with the adenovirus vector-based vaccines ChAdOx1 CoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca/Oxford)1414. Schultz NH, Sørvoll IH, Michelsen AE, Munthe LA, Lund-Johansen F, Ahlen MT, et al. Thrombosis and thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 3;384(22):2124-30. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104882...
,4848. Greinacher A, Thiele T, Warkentin TE, Weisser K, Kyrle PA, Eichinger S. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia after ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 3;384(22):2092-101. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104840
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2104840...
and the Ad26.COV2.S COVID-19 vaccine (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson)4949. See I, Su JR, Lale A, Woo EJ, Guh AY, Shimabukuro TT, et al. US case reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with thrombocytopenia after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination, March 2 to April 21, 2021. JAMA. 2021 Jun 22;325(24):2448-56. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.7517
https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.7517...
. VITT consistently presents with thrombosis at unusual sites, such as CVT and portal vein thrombosis, associated with thrombocytopenia and high levels of D-Dimer. These clinical features resemble heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)5050. Greinacher A. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. N Engl J Med. 2015 Jul 16;373(3):252-61. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1411910
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMcp1411910...
, except for the absence of recent heparin exposure. The identification of anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin complex antibodies in VITT patients’ serum5151. Ministério da Saúde, Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Nota técnica nº 933/2021-CGPNI/DEIDT/SVS/MS [Internet]. Brasília (DF): Ministério da Saúde; 2021 Aug 20 [cited 2022 Mar 13]. 8 p. Available from: https://sbim.org.br/images/files/notas-tecnicas/nota-tecnica-no-9332021-cgpnideidtsvsms.pdf
https://sbim.org.br/images/files/notas-...
suggests that similar mechanisms underlie HIT and VITT.

Bilotta et al.5252. Bilotta C, Perrone G, Adelfio V, Spatola GF, Uzzo ML, Argo A, et al. COVID-19 vaccine-related thrombosis: a systematic review and exploratory analysis. Front Immunol. 2021 Nov 29;12:729251. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.729251
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.72925...
published a systematic review of VITT, including a total of 58 subjects vaccinated with the ChAdOx1 CoV-19 vaccine (AstraZeneca/Oxford) reported in seven studies. Their ages ranged from 21 to 77 years and most of the subjects were women. The mean interval between vaccination and admission ranged from seven to 16 days. Headache was the most common symptom on admission. CVT was the most common frequent type of thrombosis. The mean platelet count ranged from 5,000/µL to 49,200/µL. Positive anti-PF4 antibody tests were present in 93% of the patients. Death was the most common outcome, except in one study that reported a 70% survival rate.

Maryam et al.5353. Sharifian-Dorche M, Bahmanyar M, Sharifian-Dorche A, Mohammadi P, Nomovi M, Mowla A. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis post COVID-19 vaccination; a systematic review. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep 15; 428:117607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117607
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11760...
published a systematic review of CVT after COVID-19 vaccination. A total of 54 patients from 14 studies were included, 41 after receiving the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine and 13, after the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine. There was a female predominance (36/45 with available data about gender). Symptom onset after vaccination ranged from four to 19 days. Headache was the most frequent presenting symptom. Other sites of thrombosis were deep, splanchnic, portal, iliofemoral vein or internal jugular veins; lung (PE) and bowel. The mean platelet count was 39,000/µL, ranging between 5,000/µL and 127,000/µL. The PF4 IgG assay was positive in 27 patients and D-dimer levels were increased in 35 patients. A total of 21 (38.8%) patients died.

In summary, VITT is associated with a high risk of death. Thereafter, a team of experts including neurologists, hematologists and intensive care specialists should assist patients with this condition. Acute management of VITT is based on the use of non-heparin anticoagulants, including factor Xa inhibitors (apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, fondaparinux, danaparoid) or direct thrombin inhibitors (argatroban, bivalirudin or dabigatran), associated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) at a dose of 1g/Kg daily for two days, irrespective of the degree of thrombocytopenia5353. Sharifian-Dorche M, Bahmanyar M, Sharifian-Dorche A, Mohammadi P, Nomovi M, Mowla A. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis post COVID-19 vaccination; a systematic review. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep 15; 428:117607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117607
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11760...
-5656. Franchini M, Liumbruno GM, Pezzo M. COVID-19 vaccine-associated immune thrombosis and thrombocytopenia (VITT): diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations for a new syndrome. Eur J Haematol. 2021 Aug;107(2):173-80. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.13665
https://doi.org/10.1111/ejh.13665...
. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) may be an alternative to IVIG in progressive cases and should be considered in cases of VITT with CVT5555. Pavord S, Lester W, Makris M, Scully M, Hunt B. Guidance from the Expert Haematology Panel (EHP) on Covid-19 Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) [Internet]. 2021 Aug 31 [cited 2022 Mar 13]. 6 p. Available from: https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidance-version-22-20210903.pdf
https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidanc...
. Steroids should be considered in case of unavailability of IVIG and TPE5353. Sharifian-Dorche M, Bahmanyar M, Sharifian-Dorche A, Mohammadi P, Nomovi M, Mowla A. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis post COVID-19 vaccination; a systematic review. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep 15; 428:117607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117607
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11760...
. Fibrinogen levels should be kept above 150mg/dL with cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate. Rituximab may play a role for patients who do not respond to IVIG and TPE treatment5555. Pavord S, Lester W, Makris M, Scully M, Hunt B. Guidance from the Expert Haematology Panel (EHP) on Covid-19 Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) [Internet]. 2021 Aug 31 [cited 2022 Mar 13]. 6 p. Available from: https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidance-version-22-20210903.pdf
https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidanc...
.

Salih et al.5757. Salih F, Schönborn L, Kohler S, Franke C, Möckel M, Dörner T, et al. Vaccine-induced thrombocytopenia with severe headache. N Engl J Med. 2021 Nov 25;385(22):2103-5. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2112974
https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMc2112974...
reported 11 patients presenting initially with headache associated with thrombocytopenia, high D-dimer levels and high levels of anti-PF4-heparin IgG antibodies after 5-18 days of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AstraZeneca) vaccination, with no CVT or other types of thrombosis. None of the seven patients who received treatment with anticoagulation or immunosuppression within five days of headache onset developed a thrombotic complication. However, 4/5 patients who were not initially treated, later presented thrombosis (CVT, PE or splanchnic vein thrombosis). The authors considered this initial presentation as representing a “pre-VITT syndrome” and suggested that anticoagulation may be considered to prevent thrombotic complications.

After the recognition of VITT, vaccination with adenovirus vector-based vaccines was interrupted in the United States and European countries5858. Bikdeli B, Chatterjee S, Arora S, Monreal M, Jimenez D, Krumholz HM, et al. Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in the U.S. population, after adenovirus-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and after COVID-19. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Jul 27;78(4):408-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.001
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.06.0...
. However, the risk of death or thrombotic complications after COVID-19 is higher than the risk of presenting VITT after vaccination with AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson vaccines5353. Sharifian-Dorche M, Bahmanyar M, Sharifian-Dorche A, Mohammadi P, Nomovi M, Mowla A. Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis post COVID-19 vaccination; a systematic review. J Neurol Sci. 2021 Sep 15; 428:117607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.117607
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.11760...
. For those who have developed VITT after an adenovirus vector-based vaccine, a mRNA vaccine may be considered for the booster shot5555. Pavord S, Lester W, Makris M, Scully M, Hunt B. Guidance from the Expert Haematology Panel (EHP) on Covid-19 Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) [Internet]. 2021 Aug 31 [cited 2022 Mar 13]. 6 p. Available from: https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidance-version-22-20210903.pdf
https://b-s-h.org.uk/media/20499/guidanc...
.

In conclusion, DC benefits selected patients with CVT and DOACs have emerged as potentially safe alternatives to VKA. Two new risk factors for CVT have been identified: COVID-19 and adenovirus vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Recognizing these factors is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    12 Aug 2022
  • Date of issue
    May 2022

History

  • Received
    15 Mar 2022
  • Accepted
    29 Apr 2022
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