There is an association between acute ischemic stroke and COVID-19 infection.
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COVID-19 related strokes can be multifocal.
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Hypercoagulability and vasculitis due to intracranial cytokine storm are among the proposed mechanisms for AIS in COVID-19.
Abstract
Background
Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continue to increase around the World. Typical symptoms include fever and respiratory illness but a constellation of multisystem involvement including central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS) have been reported with COVID-19. Acute ischemic strokes (AIS) have also been reported as a complication.
Methodology
We analyzed patient characteristics, clinical outcomes, laboratory results and imaging results of four patients with COVID-19 who had AIS.
Results
All four patients were =< 60 years, had hypoxemic respiratory failure secondary to pneumonia, elevated D-dimer and inflammatory markers.
Conclusion
Ischemic strokes are known complications in patients with severe COVID-19.
