COVID-19 and Stroke

Authors : Feyza SÖNMEZ TOPCU, Şirin YURTLU TEMEL, Yıldıray TUTPINAR

Pages : 124-128

Doi:10.19127/bshealthscience.844062

View : 26 | Download : 8

Publication Date : 2021-05-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Most patients with COVID-19 present with constitutional and respiratory symptoms and some with atypical gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, or neurological manifestations. Recent studies suggest that there are neurologic manifestations of COVID-19, including acute cerebrovascular disease insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CVD);. The aim of this study is to find out any evidence of COVID-19 related stroke. Radiologic studies of the patients admitted to the emergency department insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ED); of our center from March 11 Th to June 10 Th 2020, with acute stroke symptoms and of whom the acute cerebrovascular disease is confirmed by Computed Tomography insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CT); and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MRI); are searched retrospectively. CT Angiography insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CTA); and MR Angiography insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MRA); studies obtained for stroke management, searched for acute thromboembolism. We noticed some radiologic evidence of acute cerebrovascular disease in 56 patients of 528 patients admitted with immediate neurological symptoms. 11 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(19.64 %); of these patients who were not diagnosed before, proved to be simultaneous COVID-19 infection with laboratory tests and/or thorax CT. It was noteworthy that these 11 patients presented with an acute cerebrovascular event supported by neurological and radiological findings instead of the well-known constitutional or respiratory symptoms of COVID 19 infection. 45 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(80.35 %); patients were negative for COVID-19 infection. CT /or MR Angiography demonstrated carotid or intracranial major arterial thromboembolism in 5 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(11.1 %); of the non-COVID-19 patients and 5 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(45.4 %); of the simultaneous COVID-19 disease diagnosed ones. COVID19 positive 5 patients presented with acute internal carotid artery insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ICA); or major ICA branch thrombosis at the first stage of COVID-19 infection, rather than a complication of the serious lung disease or a component of multiorgan disfunction related COVID-19. Acute cerebrovascular disease symptoms bringing patients to the ED instead of the respiratory symptoms, aroused high suspicion of the direct neuropathy and early coagulopathy effect of the virus. COVID- 19 disease, itself thought to be a great risk factor for stroke alone. Even in initial cases and in cases where COVID-19 infection do not show a severe and fatal course, stimulation in the coagulation cascade in the early stages, increased the risk of acute stroke.
Keywords : COVID 19, SARS Cov 2, Acute cerebrovascular disease, Infection related stroke