Role of cerebral veins in ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

The pathophysiology of ischemic stroke involves the vascular neural network. Cerebral vein is an indispensable part of vascular neural network, which can provide effective drainage pathway and maintain sufficient cerebral perfusion. More and more evidence have shown that the normal function of cerebral venous drainage system may be as important as arterial perfusion for the outcome of patients with ischemic stroke. However, compared with the cerebral artery system, the cerebral venous system has not attracted enough attention. This article reviews the anatomy of cerebral venous system, the imaging changes after ischemic stroke, and the possible mechanisms of cerebral venous system involved in ischemic stroke and its related complications.