scholarly journals Thrombocytopenia and Intracranial Venous Sinus Thrombosis after “COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca” Exposure

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1599
Author(s):  
Marc E. Wolf ◽  
Beate Luz ◽  
Ludwig Niehaus ◽  
Pervinder Bhogal ◽  
Hansjörg Bäzner ◽  
...  

Background: As of 8 April 2021, a total of 2.9 million people have died with or from the coronavirus infection causing COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019). On 29 January 2021, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca (AZD1222, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca, Vaxzevria, Covishield). While the vaccine prevents severe course of and death from COVID-19, the observation of pulmonary, abdominal, and intracranial venous thromboembolic events has raised concerns. Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations and the concerning management of patients with cranial venous sinus thrombosis following first exposure to the “COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca”. Methods: Patient files, laboratory findings, and diagnostic imaging results, and endovascular interventions of three concerning patients were evaluated in retrospect. Results: Three women with intracranial venous sinus thrombosis after their first vaccination with “COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca” were encountered. Patient #1 was 22 years old and developed headaches four days after the vaccination. On day 7, she experienced a generalized epileptic seizure. Patient #2 was 46 years old. She presented with severe headaches, hemianopia to the right, and mild aphasia 13 days after the vaccination. MRI showed a left occipital intracerebral hemorrhage. Patient #3 was 36 years old and presented 17 days after the vaccination with acute somnolence and right-hand hemiparesis. The three patients were diagnosed with extensive venous sinus thrombosis. They were managed by heparinization and endovascular recanalization of their venous sinuses. They shared similar findings: elevated levels of D-dimers, platelet factor 4 antiplatelet antibodies, corona spike protein antibodies, combined with thrombocytopenia. Under treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin, platelet counts normalized within several days. Conclusion: Early observations insinuate that the exposure to the “COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca” might trigger the expression of antiplatelet antibodies, resulting in a condition with thrombocytopenia and venous thrombotic events (e.g., intracranial venous sinus thrombosis). These patients’ treatment should address the thrombo-embolic manifestations, the coagulation disorder, and the underlying immunological phenomena.

2021 ◽  
pp. jim-2020-001757
Author(s):  
Xiurong Li ◽  
Jianan Dong ◽  
Yaping Sun ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Li Shi

Our study was conducted to explore the relationship between cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and intracranial arteritis during the time of pregnancy as well as puerperium. The current retrospective case study involved a total of 153 patients with pregnancy-related CVST. CVST was diagnosed mainly based on clinical manifestations and imaging results. Detailed information on demographics, risk factors (excluding intracranial arteritis), and pregnancy outcomes was systematically recorded. The average age of patients diagnosed with CVST was 28.67±3.54 years old. Among these patients, there were 62 cases of puerperal CVST and 91 cases of pregnancy-related CVST. The clinical manifestations of patients with CVST included headache in 55 cases (35.95%), symptomatic seizures in 26 cases (16.99%), symptomatic limb weakness in 22 cases (14.38%), symptomatic nausea/vomiting in 18 cases (11.76%), symptomatic disturbance of consciousness in 15 cases (9.80%), symptomatic blurred vision in 10 cases (6.54%), and symptomatic fever in 7 cases (4.58%). A proportion of patients reported higher abnormal cerebrospinal fluid pressure (98.28%), white cell count (79.31%), total cholesterol (71.55%) and low-density lipoprotein (62.93%) (p<0.01). The proportion of intracranial arteritis lesions and CVST lesions was high, including 51 cases (43.97%) on the left side and 31 cases (26.72%) on the right side. Bilateral CVST lesions occurred in 13 cases (11.20%) of unilateral intracranial arteritis lesions, and bilateral intracranial arteritis lesions occurred in 16 cases (13.79%) of unilateral CVST lesions. In summary, CVST indicates a potential positive link to intracranial arteritis at the time of pregnancy and puerperium.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-158
Author(s):  
Yuhua Fan ◽  
Jian Yu ◽  
Hongbing Chen ◽  
Jian Zhang ◽  
Jiangang Duan ◽  
...  

AimCerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a less common cerebrovascular disease that predominantly affects young patients. The incidence of CVST is 2–5/10 000 000/year, accounting for 0.5%–1% of all stroke. To reduce mortality and morbidity associated with CVST, Chinese Stroke Association commissioned the authors to write the current guideline on the management of CVST.MethodsPubMed (MEDLINE), CNKI and Wanfang database were searched for studies related to CVST from 1 January 1990 to 31 July 2019. Data were synthesised by evidence tables. Each recommendation was fully discussed by the writing group members and reviewed by Chinese Stroke Association Stroke Fellow Committees. Levels of evidence grading algorithm of Chinese Stroke Association was used to grade each recommendation.ResultsThis guideline mainly focuses on the diagnostic evaluation, therapeutic strategies and secondary prevention of CVST. CT/CTV and MRI/MRV are recommended in the initial imaging evaluation of patients with suspected CVST. Anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular weight heparin should be initiated in patients with CVST immediately. After the acute stage, warfarin is recommended for 3–6 months to prevent the recurrence of CVST and other venous thromboembolic events.ConclusionsThe guideline summarises the current evidence regarding the management of CVST, and provides references for diagnosis, treatment and secondary prevention of CVST in China.


2021 ◽  
pp. svn-2021-001095
Author(s):  
Benno Ikenberg ◽  
Antonia Franziska Demleitner ◽  
Thomas Thiele ◽  
Benedikt Wiestler ◽  
Katharina Götze ◽  
...  

Vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been recently described as rare complications following vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 with vector vaccines. We report a case of a young woman who presented with VITT and cerebral CVST 7 days following vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCov-19 (AstraZeneca). While the initial MRI was considered void of pathological findings, MRI 3 days later revealed extensive CVST of the transversal and sigmoidal sinus with intracerebral haemorrhage. Diagnostic tests including a platelet-factor-4-induced platelet activation assay confirmed the diagnosis of VITT. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and argatroban resulted in a normalisation of platelet counts and remission of CVST.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vahid Reza Ostovan ◽  
Razieh Foroughi ◽  
Mahtab Rostami ◽  
Mostafa Almasi-Dooghaee ◽  
Manouchehr Esmaili ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, several cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) have been reported in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. This study provides a series of patients with CVST and SARS-CoV-2 infection.Methods: Consecutive patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as clinical and radiological characteristics of CVST, were reported from three teaching hospitals in the South West, North West, and the center of Iran from June to July 2020. We also searched the abstract archives until the end of August 2020 and gathered 28 reported cases. The diagnostic criteria for SARS-CoV-2 infection were determined according to SARS-CoV-2 detection in oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal samples in clinically suspected patients. Demographics, main COVID-19 symptoms, confirmatory tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis, the interval between the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and CVST, clinical and radiological features of CVST, therapeutic strategies, CVST outcomes, rate of hemorrhagic transformation, and mortality rate were investigated.Results: Six patients (aged 31 to 62 years old) with confirmed CVST and SARS-CoV-2 infection were admitted to our centers. Four patients had no respiratory symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Five out of six patients developed the clinical manifestations of CVST and SARS-CoV-2 infection simultaneously. Three patients had known predisposing factors for CVST. Despite receiving CVST and SARS-CoV-2 infection treatments, four out of six patients passed away.Conclusions: The role of SARS-CoV-2 as a “cause” versus an “additive contributor” remains to be elucidated. Practitioners should be aware of the possibility of CVST in SARS-CoV-2 infection.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194187442110550
Author(s):  
Samia Asif ◽  
Meghana Kesireddy ◽  
Scott A. Koepsell ◽  
Marco A. Gonzalez-Castellon ◽  
Krishna Gundabolu ◽  
...  

Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) or Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) had been reported in patients receiving the Ad26.COV2.S vaccination (Johnson & Johnson [J&J]/Janssen) vaccine. They frequently presented with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), but venous or arterial thrombosis at other locations can be present. The majority of those affected are younger adult females. Therefore, after a brief pause from April 13–23, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended caution in using this vaccine in females under 50 years. Based on the reported 28 cases of TTS after this vaccination (data till April 21, 2021) by CDC, 22 were females (78%), and 6 were male. None of those males had CVST but had thrombosis at other locations. We report the first case of a young male with TTS and CVST following Ad26.COV2.S vaccine presented with severe headache and diagnosed with acute right transverse and sigmoid cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, multiple right-sided pulmonary emboli, and right hepatic vein thrombosis. He was treated with parenteral anticoagulation with argatroban and intravenous immune globulin with the improvement of his symptoms. A heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) like syndrome caused by the genesis of a platelet-activating autoantibody against platelet factor 4 (PF4) triggered by adenoviral vector-based COVID-19 vaccinations is understood to be the underlying pathophysiology. TTS with CVST should be considered when patients present with headaches, stroke-like neurological symptoms, thrombocytopenia, and symptom onset 6–15 days after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 030006052110632
Author(s):  
Wei Chen ◽  
Wen-Jing Gu ◽  
Ming-Chao Shi ◽  
De-Rui Kong ◽  
Ke-Xin Zhao ◽  
...  

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis is a special cerebrovascular disease affecting young adult and middle-aged people. The clinical manifestations of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis are diverse and nonspecific; thus, imaging plays an important role in early diagnosis. Anticoagulation with heparin is the preferred treatment for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. Endovascular treatment is also being increasingly used to achieve recanalization of the cerebral venous sinus. We herein describe a woman in her early 50s who was diagnosed with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis for which anticoagulation with heparin was ineffective. To improve her symptoms and prognosis, we selected balloon venoplasty to treat the right sigmoid sinus thrombosis. Her condition subsequently improved, and no recurrence was observed after several follow-ups.


2021 ◽  
pp. 194187442110429
Author(s):  
Megan M. J. Bauman ◽  
Ryan M. Naylor ◽  
Ashley R. Santilli ◽  
Eelco F. Wijdicks

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic state caused by autoantibodies against platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin complexes. Although HIT typically presents 5-10 days after the initiation of heparin, thrombosis and thrombocytopenia may occur up to several weeks following heparin withdrawal, so-called delayed-onset HIT. Although rare, there have been isolated reports of HIT-induced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), which carry high rates of morbidity and mortality. There is a need to further characterize the etiology, clinical presentation, treatment paradigms, and outcomes of patients with HIT-induced CVST. Here, we present the case of a 57-year old female who presented to the emergency department with a headache and seizure 11 days following a right total knee arthroplasty for which she received 3 post-operative doses of enoxaparin. Work-up demonstrated acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), CVST, and thrombocytopenia. Intravenous heparin resulted in rapidly deteriorating platelet count and subsequent serologic testing confirmed the diagnosis of HIT. Treatment with bivalirudin was initiated, the HIT resolved, and the patient was discharged home on hospital day 19 with long-term anticoagulation mediated by warfarin. At 3-month follow up, the patient had mild upper motor neuron pattern weakness and was living independently. This case depicts a rare case of delayed-onset HIT and CVST, highlights the importance of establishing a fluid treatment plan for managing HIT-induced CVST, and illustrates the importance of employing rapid anticoagulation despite acute ICH to achieve a desirable clinical outcome.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Ahmed Mohamed Alselisly ◽  
Hieder Al-Shami ◽  
Ahmed Mohamed Salah

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is not a common type of stroke (5%) but still hazardous to be misdiagnosed or mistreated. Aggressive medical treatment is usually failed to hinder increase intracranial tension. Therefore, decompressive craniectomy (DC) is the final measure to mitigate the deleterious effect of supratentorial herniation. The purpose of the study is to illustrate our experience with the surgical treatment of CVST and reviewing the previous works of literature. Methods: Forty-two patients were admitted to Kasr Al-Ainy University Hospital from June 2019 to March 2020. The admission was either to the neurology department or intensive care unit or neurosurgery department. Every patient who was diagnosed with CVST received an emergency neurosurgery consultation. Seven patients were operated on with DC according to the criteria mentioned above. Therapeutic heparin was given in addition to intracranial pressure lowering measures. Results: The mean and standard deviation of the age was (25.14 ± 10.1) years. There were five females (71.45%) in our series. The mean and standard deviation of clinical manifestations are (8.5 ± 7.77) weeks with range (3– 14 weeks). Most of the cases were presented by a decreased level of consciousness (6/7) and anisocoria (6/7), followed by fits (3/7). Four cases out of seven had the previous history of oral contraceptive administration. Conclusion: DC provides an urgent last arm for intractable increased intracranial tension. Patients with CVST need urgent consultation for neurosurgical intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. e246455
Author(s):  
Boby Varkey Maramattom ◽  
Fathima Mihta Moidu ◽  
Sajira Varikkottil ◽  
Akheel A Syed

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) following novel coronavirus-2019 (nCoV-19) vaccination is a rare adverse effect. We report the first case of CVST associated with ChAdOx1 vaccination, with positive anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibodies, from India. A 44-year-old woman developed a thunderclap headache 4 days after the first dose of the adenoviral vector vaccine ChAdOx1 (Covishield). Physical examination was unremarkable barring mild neck stiffness with no focal neurological deficits. MRI identified right transverse sinus thrombosis. Laboratory tests revealed raised D-dimer and thrombocytopenia; anti-PF4 antibodies were subsequently identified, consistent with thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS). She was treated with non-heparin anticoagulation and intravenous immunoglobulin and made an uneventful recovery. Early recognition of adenoviral vector vaccine-related TTS, which resembles heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome, is important as heparin and heparin analogues are best avoided in the treatment.


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