Along with the current clinical trial, the efficacy and safety of a 150 mg Bid dabigatran administered within 24 hours of randomization after having first-ever cerebral venous thrombosis compared to apixaban 5mg Bid were assessed through rate of recurrent VTE, mRS, rate of venous recanalization, HIT score, MoCA test, and central and peripheral hemorrhagic complications
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Patients aged 18 and above 2. New diagnosis of symptomatic cerebral venous thrombosis as confirmed on CT/CT venogram or MRI/MR venogram 3. Ability to randomize within 14 days of neuroimaging-confirmed diagnosis 4. The treating clinician thinks that the patient is appropriate for oral anticoagulation as per the standard of care 5. The patient or legally authorized representative can give written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. The patient has known antiphospholipid antibody syndrome with a previous history of venous or arterial thrombosis 2. The patient is anticipated to require invasive procedures (e.g., lumbar puncture, thrombectomy, hemicraniectomy) before initiation of oral anticoagulation 3. Patient is unable to swallow due to a depressed level of consciousness 4. Impaired renal function (i.e., CrCl \< 30 mL/min using CockroftGault equation) 5. Pregnancy: if a woman is of childbearing potential, a urine or serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) test is positive 6. Breastfeeding at the time of randomization 7. Bleeding diathesis or other contraindication to anticoagulation 8. Any concurrent medical condition requiring mandatory antiplatelet or anticoagulant use 9. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., ongoing use of Dilantin, carbamazepine, HIV protease inhibitors) or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., diltiazem, ketoconazole) 10. The patient has a severe or fatal comorbid illness that will prevent improvement