Cerebral venous thrombosis in elderly patients

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition affecting blood clots in the brain's venous system.
• Limited data exists on the specific characteristics and outcomes of CVT in elderly populations (aged ≥65 years).

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical presentation, epidemiology, risk factors, and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in elderly patients.
• To compare these characteristics with those of younger adult patients with CVT.

Main Methods:

• A multicenter retrospective cohort study included 114 elderly patients hospitalized for a first CVT between 2011 and 2021 in Paris-Ile-de-France.
• Incidence was estimated and compared to national data and a registry of younger adults (<65 years).

Main Results:

• Elderly patients (mean age 74.2 years) showed fewer headaches and intracranial hypertension but more seizures and focal deficits compared to younger adults.
• Higher frequencies of underlying cancer, hemopathy, and infections were observed in the elderly cohort.
• The prognosis was poorer in elderly patients, with a higher acute mortality rate (8%) and lower favorable 1-year outcome (73%) compared to younger adults.

Conclusions:

• Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in the elderly exhibits a unique clinical profile, epidemiological patterns, and associated risk factors.
• These specificities underscore the need for specialized diagnostic and management approaches for CVT in older individuals.