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Updated: Mar 29, 2026

Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Critical care management of cerebral venous thrombosis
1aDepartment of Neurology, University of Toronto School of Medicine bStroke Outcomes Research Unit, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute cInstitute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada *Website: http://www.sorcan.ca.
Insights
Systemic anticoagulation is the primary treatment for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), even with bleeding. Endovascular therapy may benefit select CVT patients with worsening symptoms despite anticoagulation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) management is less understood than ischemic stroke.
- Evidence for interventions in CVT is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current evidence on CVT management.
- To summarize data on anticoagulation and endovascular therapy for CVT.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on CVT treatment.
- Analysis of data on anticoagulation efficacy and safety.
- Evaluation of endovascular therapy outcomes in CVT.
Main Results:
- Systemic anticoagulation is the standard treatment for CVT, including cases with intracerebral hemorrhage.
- Endovascular therapy appears safe in CVT and may improve outcomes for patients with neurological decline despite anticoagulation.
Conclusions:
- While most CVT patients have a good prognosis, 25% experience acute neurological deterioration.
- Risk factors for deterioration include neurological deficits, seizures, deep venous thrombosis, venous infarction, and intracranial hemorrhage.
- Further randomized trials are necessary to compare anticoagulation and endovascular therapy for CVT.
Purpose Of Review:
Although recent trials of intervention for acute ischemic stroke have been positive, similar benefit in acute cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) remains largely unclear. This review aims to summarize the existing evidence regarding the management of CVT, including anticoagulation and endovascular therapy.
Recent Findings:
The mainstay of treatment in CVT is systemic anticoagulation even in the setting of intracerebral hemorrhage. Nonrandomized studies and case series suggest that endovascular therapy in CVT is relatively safe, and can improve outcomes in the small subset of CVT patients with neurologic deterioration despite anticoagulation.
Summary:
Despite a generally favorable prognosis, one in four patients with CVT develop neurological deterioration in the acute phase. Predisposing factors include a neurological deficit or seizures at onset, deep venous thrombosis, venous infarctions, or intracranial hemorrhage with mass effect and an underlying thrombophilia. More randomized trials are needed to compare the benefits of anticoagulation and endovascular therapy.
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