The first of a two-part series, a consensus statement about the secondary prevention of stroke in pregnancy has been published. To read the consensus statement, please view the article published in the International Journal of Stroke (OPEN ACCESS). The abstract is below.

 

To support the dissemination and uptake of these guidelines, there will be two webinars presenting the consensus statement. Registration for the first webinar is open at the following link. Registration for the second webinar and recordings of the webinar series will be posted when available.

Webinar 1: Incidence and Secondary Prevention of Stroke During Pregnancy

CSBPR Webinar – Incidence and Secondary Prevention of Stroke during Pregnancy


The Canadian Stroke Best Practice Consensus Statement: Secondary Stroke Prevention during Pregnancy, is the first of a two-part series devoted to stroke in pregnancy. This document focuses on unique aspects of secondary stroke prevention in a woman with a prior history of stroke or transient ischemic attack who is, or is planning to become, pregnant. Although stroke is relatively rare in this cohort, several aspects of pregnancy can increase stroke risk during or immediately after pregnancy. The rationale for the development of this consensus statement is based on the premise that stroke in this group requires a specifically-tailored management approach. No other broad-based, stroke-specific guidelines or consensus statements exist currently. Underpinning the development of this document was the concept that maternal health is vital for fetal wellbeing; therefore, management decisions should be based on the confluence of two clinical considerations: (a) decisions that would be made if the patient was not pregnant and (b) decisions that would be made if the patient had not had a stroke. While empirical research in this area is limited, this consensus document is based on the best available literature and guided by expert consensus. Issues addressed in this document include general management considerations for secondary stroke prevention, the use of antithrombotics, blood pressure management, lipid management, diabetes care, and management for specific ischemic stroke etiologies in pregnancy. The focus is on maternal and fetal health while minimizing risks of a recurrent stroke, through counseling, monitoring, and the safety of select pharmacotherapy. These statements are appropriate for health care professionals across all disciplines.