Moyamoya Disease Medication

  • Author: Roy Sucholeiki, MD; Chief Editor: Amy Kao, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Drug therapy for moyamoya disease depends on the particular manifestations of the disease. For hemorrhage, therapy revolves around the management of hypertension (if present).

For ischemic stroke, anticoagulation with heparin or warfarin may be considered. Safety and efficacy have not been fully established for these drugs, and careful analysis of risk and benefits is needed. These drugs could be useful if thrombosis of vessels is present, but they do not alter the natural history of the disease and they considerably increase the risk of hemorrhage with large strokes.

The same considerations are true for aspirin and other antiplatelet agents. Treatment with anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents should be pursued only after consultation with a neurologist who is experienced in stroke management.

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Anticoagulants, Hematologic

Class Summary

These agents are given for the prevention of further thrombosis and potential infarction of the brain. Caution: Anticoagulation is of unproven benefit in ischemic stroke associated with moyamoya disease. This therapy is therefore considered to be empirical.

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Heparin

 

Heparin is administered intravenously; it is frequently given with initial bolus in cardiac situations. In stroke, bolus not recommended. The target dose is aimed at maintaining an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 1.5-2 times control. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain must be done prior to any anticoagulant use to rule out preexisting intracranial hemorrhage.

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Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

 

Warfarin, which is administered orally, is used if long-term anticoagulation is needed. The international normalized ratio (INR) is followed, with a target range of 2-3. A CT scan of the brain must be done prior to any anticoagulant use to rule out preexisting intracranial hemorrhage.

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Antiplatelet agents

Class Summary

These agents can be considered to help prevent future ischemic strokes. As with anticoagulation, aspirin is of unproven benefit in moyamoya disease; its use is considered empirical.

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Aspirin (Ecotrin, Ascriptin Maximum Strength, Ascriptin, Bayer Aspirin)

 

Aspirin's efficacy in preventing stroke relies on the inhibitory effect of aspirin on platelet function. This presumably helps to prevent thrombus formation and propagation.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Roy Sucholeiki, MD  Director, Comprehensive Seizure and Epilepsy Program, The Neurosciences Institute at Central DuPage Hospital

Roy Sucholeiki, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, and American Neuropsychiatric Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA  Chief of Neurology, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital; Associate Professor and Director, Neurology Residency Training Program, Loyola University Medical Center

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Amy Kao, MD  Attending Neurologist, Children's National Medical Center

Amy Kao, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Epilepsy Society, and Child Neurology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert Stanley Rust Jr, MD, MA Thomas E Worrell Jr Professor of Epileptology and Neurology, Co-Director of FE Dreifuss Child Neurology and Epilepsy Clinics, Director, Child Neurology, University of Virginia; Chair-Elect, Child Neurology Section, American Academy of Neurology

Robert Stanley Rust Jr, MD, MA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, American Headache Society, American Neurological Association, Child Neurology Society, International Child Neurology Association, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Reference Salary Employment

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