Management of Maternal Stroke and Mitigating Risk

Pregnancy places women at a higher risk for hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes. This review discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this increased risk, management considerations for pregnant patients, and ways to decrease the risk of stroke in this patient population.

Rates of ischemic and hemorrhagic pregnancy-associated stroke have increased over the past 20 years, particularly events associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of acute reperfusion therapies in ischemic pregnancy-associated stroke including tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and endovascular thrombectomy. While the unique physiology of pregnancy places women at a higher risk of stroke, acute ischemic stroke management in pregnant patients should closely mirror the management of non-pregnant patients. Secondary stroke prevention agents should be selected with consideration of the pregnancy.