What is reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome?

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Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a group of disorders characterized by severe headaches and a narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain. RCVS is reversible and patients often recover within three months; the condition is frequently missed and is more common than most physicians realize.

How is reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome treated?

There is no known cure for RCVS. If a drug has been associated with RCVS, the patient should talk to his or her doctor about decreasing the dose or stopping the use of the drug. The use of calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem® and nimodipine can reduce headaches.

Is RCVS life threatening?

Background: A fatal outcome occurs in 2% of patients with Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS). Due to its rarity, guidelines for the management of the most severe forms of RCVS are lacking.

What can you not eat with RCVS?

Avoid empiric glucocorticoids – We suggest not using empiric glucocorticoid therapy for possible primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) when RCVS is suspected.

Is RCVS hereditary?

Genetic factors are likely to play a role in the predisposition and development of RCVS.

Can I exercise with RCVS?

Recurrence of an episode of RCVS is extremely rare. Most people can resume routine physical activities and gradually increase the intensity of exercise two to four weeks after the sudden-onset headaches subside.

What triggers vasoconstriction?

Vasoconstriction is narrowing or constriction of the blood vessels. It happens when smooth muscles in blood vessel walls tighten. This makes the blood vessel opening smaller. Vasoconstriction may also be called vasospasm.

Can RCVS recur?

The main result is that RCVS can hit twice. Recurrence occurred in a minority of cases (9 of the 168 patients, 5%) with a delay from the first to the second bout ranging from 6 months to 7 years. All initial RCVS were idiopathic. Recurrent RCVS was idiopathic in 8 cases and triggered by a vasoactive drug in one.

Can RCVS reoccur?

In line with the Taiwanese and American follow-up studies, our results confirm that the long-term recurrence rate of RCVS is low and that relapse is mostly benign.

Does aspirin help vasoconstriction?

The present studies indicate that salicylates, including aspirin and sodium salicylate, relax vasoconstriction through inhibiting PYK2-mediated RhoA/Rho-kinase activation, offering a mechanistic insight into the unique blood pressure effect of salicylates.