Endothelial Dysfunction in Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome

Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome (RCVS) is a syndrome described at the end of the 20th century. Generally, it has a benign course. It is revealed by acute headaches, in different circumstances such as sexual activity, physical exertion or emotional disturbances. But, in few cases, it might be complicated by seizure, stroke and subarachnoid haemorrhage. The diagnosis is confirmed on radiological examination, which shows diffuse cerebral vasoconstriction of brain vessel. It calls reversible because at three month, vasoconstriction disappears. Most cases occur during post partum or after serotoninergic/adrenergic drug use. The pathophysiology is unknown but a transient disturbance in the control of cerebrovascular tone by sympathic hyperactivity and/or endothelial dysfunction are suspected. The assessment of endothelial dysfunction in brain is possible with transcranial doppler. Chen et al. showed an impairment of vasodilatation post apnea induced called BHI on RCVS subjects compared with healthy control. BHI is a reflect of endothelial function in brain. Currently, investigators do not know if endothelial dysfunction occurred only in brain or if it may occur in systemic vessel. Some case reports talk about systemic complication such as kidney infarct or hepatic arterial vasospasm so a systemic vascular dysfunction may be suspected. In this study, researchers will study systemic endothelial function by measure of the pulse wave velocity during RCVS and after its recovering at 3 months, and compare it at healthy controls.