Clinical and epidemiological profile of hospital admissions due to cerebral venous thrombosis in a reference hospital

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a condition where a clot causes occlusion of the cerebral sinus or vein, affecting cerebral blood drainage. About 15% of cases result in death or permanent disability, with the most common occlusion sites being the transverse sinus, superior sagittal sinus, and sigmoid sinus. Given its prevalence and impact on healthcare, understanding the sociodemographic profile of CVT patients is crucial in brazilian reality. Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of hospital admissions due to cerebral venous thrombosis. Methods: This descriptive observational study uses preliminary data from a sample of 75 patients and was conducted based on medical records from a reference hospital in Bahia from January 2015 to August 2023. The sample is a non-probabilistic convenience sample. Inclusion criteria: all patients diagnosed with CVT in a reference hospital in Bahia between January 2015 and December 2023 were included. Patients without demographic, clinical, and pathological data available for the study were excluded. Variables of interest were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. Results: Data from 39 admissions were analyzed, with 3 (7.6%) deaths. The mean age was 35 years, ranging from 20 to 42 years. Of the patients, 30 (76.9%) were female. Imaging reports from 38 patients revealed that the most affected vessels were the transverse sinus (32), sigmoid sinus (29), and superior sagittal sinus (28). The number of affected vessels per patient varied: 4 vessels (12 cases, 30.7%), 3 vessels (11), 2 vessels (8), 1 vessel (5), 5 vessels (3), and 6 vessels (1). Among the 30 women, 17 (56.6%) used oral contraceptives. Additionally, 14 (35.9%) had pre-existing risk conditions: 5 with thrombophilias, 4 with previous CVT, 2 with recent surgeries, 1 during pregnancy/puerperium, 1 with hyperhomocysteinemia, and 1 with a family history of CVT. The most common symptom was headache (85%, 33 cases), followed by visual changes (38%, 15), motor symptoms (28%, 11), sensory symptoms (21%, 8), and cognitive symptoms (13%, 5). Focal deficits were present in 31% of cases. No patient was admitted during a seizure, but 6 (15.4%) had seizures during hospitalization. Laboratory data showed an average MAP of 98.6 mmHg, with maximum value of 133.3 mmHg. Regarding interventions, 33 (84.6%) patients required anticoagulation during hospitalization. Conclusion: The study‘s findings align with existing literature regarding the patient profile and emphasize the significant impact on neurological care, including the risks of intracranial hypertension and seizure development. Effective preventative strategies and early interventions targeting high-risk groups are essential to improve outcomes for CVT patients. By focusing on these areas, healthcare providers can better manage and reduce the incidence and impact of CVT.