Rare non-heritable causes of acute cerebrovascular disorders

Abstract

Acute cerebrovascular disorder remains one of the main causes of disability and death of the population in developed countries. Among acute cerebrovascular disorders, the ischemic type (approximately 80 % of all cases) is more common than the hemorrhagic type (including intracerebral and subarachnoid hemorrhage). Traditionally, among the risk factors for the development of acute cerebrovascular disorders, we distinguish non-modified factors (age, sex, hereditary predisposition to acute cerebrovascular disorders, congenital heart defects) and modified factors (arterial hypertension, diabetes, hematocrit level, low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol levels in the blood). However, there is a separate category of risk factors, namely, non-heritable pathology that leads to the development of acute cerebrovascular disorders. This category includes diseases such as primary angiitis of the central nervous system, Sneddon’s syndrome, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, Susac’s syndrome, Takotsubo syndrome, and Moyamoya angiopathy. These pathological conditions are characterized by damage to cerebral vessels of different calibers, accompanied by a variety of clinical manifestations (ranging from skin rash and abnormalities in cardiac chambers to mental disorders). These pathological conditions can mimic other diseases, making it challenging to establish a correct diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment to such patients. The diagnosis of these disorders is quite complex and requires the use of neuroimaging methods and, in some cases, a multidisciplinary approach. It is believed that by understanding and recognizing the non-heritable risk factors, we will be able to prevent a significant percentage of acute cerebrovascular disorders in the population and provide timely assistance in case of their occurrence.