Cerebrovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum

Cerebrovascular disorders during pregnancy and puerperium are uncommon but potentially serious entities. This review aims to provide guidance on the diagnosis and management of these diseases, according to the most recent findings.

Proteinuria is no longer a mandatory criterion for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Favourable long-term foetal and maternal outcomes are achieved in most patients with ruptured cerebral arterial malformations during pregnancy receiving interventional treatment prior to delivery. Despite the recent recommendations, physicians still hesitate to administer thrombolysis in pregnant women. In women with a history of cerebral venous thrombosis, prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin during pregnancy and puerperium is associated with lower rates of recurrent thrombotic events and miscarriage.

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a continuum of failure of autoregulation mechanisms that may lead to eclampsia, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome and stroke. MRI is the preferred imaging modality of choice. In the absence of specific contraindications, treatment of cerebrovascular complications should not be withheld from pregnant women, including reperfusion therapies in acute ischemic stroke and treatment of ruptured cerebral aneurysms. Previous history of stroke alone does not contraindicate future pregnancy, but counselling and implementation of prevention strategies are needed.