Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report

ABSTRACT Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by transient constriction and dilation of cerebral arteries, leading to severe headaches and neurological deficits. This case report describes a 41‐year‐old woman with chronic anemia, acute ch...

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Main Authors: Amogh Verma, Govind Sharma, Ajeet Singh, Harshit Gupta, Deependra Pratap Singh, Abhay M. Gaidhane, Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib, Ganesh Bushi, Sanjit Sah, Rodrigue Ndabashinze
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Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:Clinical Case Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9618
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author Amogh Verma
Govind Sharma
Ajeet Singh
Harshit Gupta
Deependra Pratap Singh
Abhay M. Gaidhane
Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib
Ganesh Bushi
Sanjit Sah
Rodrigue Ndabashinze
author_facet Amogh Verma
Govind Sharma
Ajeet Singh
Harshit Gupta
Deependra Pratap Singh
Abhay M. Gaidhane
Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib
Ganesh Bushi
Sanjit Sah
Rodrigue Ndabashinze
author_sort Amogh Verma
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by transient constriction and dilation of cerebral arteries, leading to severe headaches and neurological deficits. This case report describes a 41‐year‐old woman with chronic anemia, acute chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis who developed RCVS following transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). She experienced sudden‐onset seizures and a thunderclap headache 5 days post‐transfusion. Diagnostic imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed the characteristic features of vasogenic edema. The patient was treated with blood pressure control and symptomatic relief for pain, resulting in gradual improvement. This case highlights the importance of recognizing RCVS as a potential complication of blood transfusions, particularly in patients with significant comorbidities. Understanding the possible mechanisms, including rapid hemoglobin correction, and the effects of residual plasma and storage lesions in transfused blood, is essential to prevent and manage this rare but serious condition.
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series Clinical Case Reports
spelling doaj-art-c2fbdd97203c4c8fb790ede8ae60318d2025-08-20T02:39:04ZengWileyClinical Case Reports2050-09042024-12-011212n/an/a10.1002/ccr3.9618Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case ReportAmogh Verma0Govind Sharma1Ajeet Singh2Harshit Gupta3Deependra Pratap Singh4Abhay M. Gaidhane5Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib6Ganesh Bushi7Sanjit Sah8Rodrigue Ndabashinze9Department of Internal Medicine Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Center Hapur Uttar Pradesh IndiaDepartment of Radiology Rama Medical College Hospital and Research Center Hapur Uttar Pradesh IndiaDepartment of Internal Medicine Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi PakistanDepartment of Internal Medicine All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh Rishikesh IndiaDepartment of Biotechnology Graphic Era Hill University Dehradun IndiaSchool of Epidemiology and Public Health, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Global Health Academy Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education Wardha IndiaDivision of Evidence Synthesis, Global Consortium of Public Health and Research Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education Wardha IndiaCenter for Global Health Research Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University Chennai IndiaDr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth Pune Maharashtra IndiaUniversity of Burundi Bujumbura BurundiABSTRACT Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by transient constriction and dilation of cerebral arteries, leading to severe headaches and neurological deficits. This case report describes a 41‐year‐old woman with chronic anemia, acute chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis who developed RCVS following transfusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs). She experienced sudden‐onset seizures and a thunderclap headache 5 days post‐transfusion. Diagnostic imaging, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), revealed the characteristic features of vasogenic edema. The patient was treated with blood pressure control and symptomatic relief for pain, resulting in gradual improvement. This case highlights the importance of recognizing RCVS as a potential complication of blood transfusions, particularly in patients with significant comorbidities. Understanding the possible mechanisms, including rapid hemoglobin correction, and the effects of residual plasma and storage lesions in transfused blood, is essential to prevent and manage this rare but serious condition.https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9618blood transfusionchronic anemiaRCVSseizuresthunderclap headachevasogenic edema
spellingShingle Amogh Verma
Govind Sharma
Ajeet Singh
Harshit Gupta
Deependra Pratap Singh
Abhay M. Gaidhane
Mahalaqua Nazli Khatib
Ganesh Bushi
Sanjit Sah
Rodrigue Ndabashinze
Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
Clinical Case Reports
blood transfusion
chronic anemia
RCVS
seizures
thunderclap headache
vasogenic edema
title Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
title_full Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
title_fullStr Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
title_full_unstemmed Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
title_short Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Following Blood Transfusion in a Patient With Chronic Anemia: A Case Report
title_sort reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome following blood transfusion in a patient with chronic anemia a case report
topic blood transfusion
chronic anemia
RCVS
seizures
thunderclap headache
vasogenic edema
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.9618
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