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STROKE &
PREGNANCY
By Judith Barnaby, Stroke CNSReviewed by Dr. Bayer, Stroke
Neurologist, St. Michael’s Hospital
Learning Objectives
To identify pertinent research statistics that pertain to the subject matter
To review physiological changes associated with pregnancy
To recognize the risk factors for pregnancy as it relates to stroke
To discuss the management therapies To review a case study (stroke and pregnancy): Case
analysis and application of theory To review cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
Statistics
Stroke is the second leading cause of death of women in Canada and the United States
According to Jaigobin & Silver, there is a higher incidence of stroke in young women than in men between the ages of 15 and 30 to 35 years. (Stroke related pregnancy)
Pregnancy-related stroke is, a rare, but potentially a devastating event
Washington study: 0.7% risk of cerebral infarction during pregnancy and 8.75 during the post-partum period. 2.5% risk of intracerebral bleed during pregnancy and 28.3% post-partum
Statistics Cont’d:
Pregnancy related stroke in the UK: 11 to 26 deliveries per 100 000
Approx. 8% to 15% of pregnancy related stroke victims die C-Section deliveries (3 to 12 times higher risk) than vaginal
deliveries A study in the UK identified that thromboembolism was the
leading cause of maternal death (a study in the US: 5,723 cases out of 8,918 cases were venous thrombosis in nature)
Most common cause of cerebral infarction: eclampsia and preeclampsia.
Most common cause of intracerebral bleed: arterial aneurysm and Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)
Physiological Changes Associated with Pregnancy
Hypercoagulable state is characteristic of pregnancy
1. Marked increase in fibrinogen and factor VIII (8). Factors VII (7), IX, X and XII are also increased but to a lesser extend. Fibrinolytic activity is depressed during pregnancy and labour
2. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is a common complication (1 to 2%; vaginal delivery and 2 to 10% for C-section delivery). Pulmonary embolism is a potential complication
Risk Factors for Pregnancy Related Stroke
Hematological Disorders Preeclampsia Gestational Diabetes Post-Partum Period Race Age older than 35 y.o. Other
Hematological Disorders
Anemia may result from blood loss that results in cerebral hypoperfusion
Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count) Sickle Cell Disease
Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a form of pregnancy-associated high blood pressure and protein in the mother’s urine
Increase risk associated with 1st pregnancy, adv. maternal age, black heritage and past hx: DM & HBP)
Occurs in about 5 to 7 % of all pregnancies Some research suggests that women who develop
pre-eclampsia have a 60 per cent > risk of non-pregnancy-related ischemic stroke
1 out of 200 women who have preeclampsia, blood pressure becomes high enough to have seizures; this condition is called eclampsia
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is the inability of the body to process carbohydrates during pregnancy.
All pregnant women should be screened for gestational diabetes during their pregnancy
In many cases blood glucose levels return back to the pre-pregnancy state after delivery
Diabetes is a risk factor for stroke
Post-Partum Period
In thromboembolic disease blood clots form in the vessels.
This risk of developing thromboembolic disease is increased for about 6 to 8 weeks after delivery.
Most complications results from injuries that occur during delivery.
The risk is greater after a cesarean section than after vaginal delivery
In one study (NEJM) the extremely high relative risk of stroke during the postpartum period is likely the result of a decrease in blood volume or the rapid changes in hormonal status or the hemodynamic, coagulative or vessel-wall changes
Race
Black women had the highest risk of stroke (52.5 per 100,000 deliveries)
Hispanic women (26.1 per 100,000 deliveries) White women (31.7 per 100,000 deliveries)
Age > 35 y.o.
The risk of stroke generally increases with age
The risk increased dramatically among women aged 35 to 39 years (58.1 per 100, 000 deliveries)
The highest risk among women aged 40 years and older (90.5 per 100,000 deliveries)
Other
Cocaine abuse Smoking Hyperemesis Transfusion Cardiac
Management
Venous Thrombosis
Pregnant women: LMWH or unfractionated heparin for DVT. Coumadin is usually contraindicated.
Post-Partum women: LMWH for 7 to 10 days may be followed by Coumadin for 3 to 6 months.
Management cont’d:
Stroke and Pregnancy
Antiplatelet therapy Heparin therapy Thrombolysis (the safety of thrombolysis in
acute ischemic stroke during pregnancy remains unproven)
Risk of Stroke Recurrence
The overall risk is small Approximate risk of recurrent stroke of 1%= in
the following 12 months and 2.3% within 5 years
Case Study
See hand-out
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
Is a rare from of thrombosis (blood clot) Affecting the dural venous sinuses which
drains blood from the brain Symptoms include: headaches, any of the
symptoms of stroke, seizures, abnormal vision, and raised intracranial pressure
Risk factors: Pregnancy, thrombophilia, birth control pill, chronic inflammatory diseases
Treatment: anticoagulants medications and/or tPa
Final Message …
Although uncommon, the development of stroke and pregnancy should be managed in a specialized setting that can incorporate the expertise of obstetrics, neurology, neuro-radiology and rehabilitation services