Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in Users of a Hormonal Vaginal Ring

Late-post-COVID-19 cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and stroke: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease increases risk of venous thromboembolisms (VTE), primarily deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Only a few cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in association with a COVID-19 infection have been reported and are limited to acute COVID-19 disease. Hypercoagulable conditions persist in postacute COVID-19 disease, which carries an increased risk of VTE.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of CVST and stroke 56 days post-COVID-19 infection presenting with an atypical clinical picture.

DISCUSSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first observations of CVST in the postacute phase of COVID-19 disease. Clinicians should be aware of this potential late complication and should consider appropriate diagnostic imaging techniques in patients with COVID-19-infection history.

Influence of hormonal contraceptives and the occurrence of stroke: integrative review

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify scientific evidence regarding the influence of hormonal contraceptive use and the occurrence of stroke. Method: Integrative review of the literature, through database search using the descriptors "contraceptive agents", "contraceptive devices", "contraceptives, Oral" and "Stroke". Original studies in Portuguese, Spanish and English, published in full and available online were included. Studies that did not answer our guiding questions and duplicated studies were excluded. Results: Women using combined oral contraceptives have higher risk of stroke, even with a lower hormonal dosage and different types of progestogen, regardless of the duration of use. The use of contraceptives associated with smoking, hypertension, migraine, hypercholesterolemia, obesity and sedentary lifestyle increases the chance of stroke. Contraceptive patch and vaginal ring are associated to increased risk. Conclusion: Use of combined hormonal contraceptives, except for the injectable and the transdermal ones, increases the chance of occurrence of the event. Progestogen-only contraceptives were considered safe.

Pulmonary Embolism Masquerading as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema at High Altitude

Pandey, Prativa, Benu Lohani, and Holly Murphy. Pulmonary embolism masquerading as high altitude pulmonary edema at high altitude. High Alt Med Biol. 17:353-358, 2016.-Pulmonary embolism (PE) at high altitude is a rare entity that can masquerade as or occur in conjunction with high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and can complicate the diagnosis and management. When HAPE cases do not improve rapidly with descent, other diagnoses, including PE, ought to be considered. From 2013 to 2015, we identified eight cases of PE among 303 patients with initial diagnosis of HAPE. Upon further evaluation, five had deep vein thrombosis (DVT). One woman had a contraceptive ring and seven patients had no known thrombotic risks. PE can coexist with or mimic HAPE and should be considered in patients presenting with shortness of breath from high altitude regardless of thrombotic risk.