Table 1.

Teaching points

Nephrotic syndrome is associated with a higher risk of both venous and arterial thrombosis than the general population.

Ischemic stroke can occur in young patients and be the initial event in nephrotic syndrome.

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors, especially smoking, seem to play a role in arterial thrombosis as in patients without nephrotic syndrome. They should be assessed and managed in all patients with nephrotic syndrome.

Severe hypoalbuminemia and proteinuria seem to play a role in venous thromboembolism, but their contribution to arterial thromboembolism is less clear.

Anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents seem to be protective for acute ischemic stroke in patients in NS but their role in primary and secondary prophylaxis has yet to be determined.