Venous stroke in the pregnant and postpartum patient

Cerebral infarction is often considered a disease of middle-aged or elderly patients; it is uncommon in young adults. Venous stroke, however, has been recognized for many years as a hazard in young females during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Occlusion by thrombus is the most common abnormality and can be caused by alteration in blood viscosity, changes in blood volume and a hypercoagulable state. Because the neuroscience nurse may be faced with the challenge of caring for this different type of patient, an understanding of venous stroke, its manifestations and treatment is necessary in order to establish a plan of care.