Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes.

Richard A Bernstein1

  • 1Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, 710 North Lake Shore Drive, Abbott Hall 11th Floor, Chicago, IL 60026, USA. r-bernstein@northwestern.edu

Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine
|April 26, 2006
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cost-effectiveness of an insertable cardiac monitor to detect atrial fibrillation in large- or small-vessel disease ischaemic stroke in the USA.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Anticoagulation and Antiplatelet Therapy in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Atherosclerosis.

JAMA neurology·2025
Same author

Cardioembolic Stroke.

Neurologic clinics·2024
Same author

Data Over Dogma in Treatment of Cervical Artery Dissections.

Stroke·2024
Same author

Safety and efficacy of factor XIa inhibition with milvexian for secondary stroke prevention (AXIOMATIC-SSP): a phase 2, international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial.

The Lancet. Neurology·2023
Same author

Atrial Fibrillation In Patients With Stroke Attributed to Large- or Small-Vessel Disease: 3-Year Results From the STROKE AF Randomized Clinical Trial.

JAMA neurology·2023
Same journal

An Update on the Role of Renal Artery Denervation in the Treatment of Hypertension.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2026
Same journal

Advancements and Challenges in Contemporizing Care for Adult Patients with Congenital Heart Disease and Advanced Heart Failure: An Update on Application of Modern Heart Failure Technologies.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2026
Same journal

Evolving Decongestion Strategies in the Management of Acute Heart Failure.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2025
Same journal

Advanced Electroanatomic Mapping: Current and Emerging Approaches.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2025
Same journal

Metabolic Reprogramming in Heart Failure: From Energy Starvation to Therapeutic Targets.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2025
Same journal

Drug-Coated Balloons for Coronary Artery Disease: From Theory to Practice.

Current treatment options in cardiovascular medicine·2025
See all related articles

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) present with sudden severe headaches and neurological deficits. Accurate diagnosis is key, as RCVS typically resolves without long-term immunosuppressive treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Neuroscience
  • Vascular Neurology

Background:

  • Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes (RCVS) are characterized by thunderclap headaches, neurological deficits, and multifocal cerebral vasoconstriction.
  • RCVS can be triggered by various factors including puerperium, surgery, drug use, or migraine, or occur spontaneously.
  • Distinguishing RCVS from central nervous system vasculitis is crucial for appropriate management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the key features, triggers, diagnostic considerations, and management principles of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndromes (RCVS).
  • To emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis and the generally benign, self-resolving nature of RCVS.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation, diagnostic findings (cerebral angiography, spinal fluid analysis), and outcomes in RCVS.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparison of RCVS features with other neurological conditions, particularly central nervous system vasculitis.
  • Analysis of commonly employed empiric treatments and their efficacy.

    • Main Results:

    • RCVS is defined by sudden headache, focal deficits (especially visual), multifocal vasoconstriction on angiography, and non-inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid.
    • RCVS has a variable onset, associated with diverse triggers or occurring idiopathically.
    • Routine clinical assessment is often sufficient to differentiate RCVS from vasculitis, obviating the need for brain biopsy.

    Conclusions:

    • Accurate diagnosis of RCVS is paramount for effective management.
    • Empiric treatments like calcium channel blockers or steroids lack proven efficacy.
    • RCVS has a generally benign prognosis, tending to resolve spontaneously without the need for long-term immunosuppression.