Bihemispheric Ischemic Strokes in Patients With COVID-19
Author Type(s)
Faculty
Document Type
Abstract
Publication Date
10-2021
DOI
10.1016/j.jns.2021.119901
Journal Title
Journal of the Neurological Sciences
Department
Neurosurgery
Second Department
Neurology
Third Department
Radiology
Abstract
Background and aims
There is emerging evidence that COVID-19 can trigger thrombosis because of a hypercoagulable state, including large vessel occlusion ischemic strokes. Bi-hemispheric ischemic stroke is uncommon and is thought to indicate an embolic source.Methods
We performed a retrospective cohort study at a quaternary academic medical center between March 1st and April 30th, 2020. We identified all patients with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented with simultaneous bi-hemispheric ischemic strokes.Results
Of 637 COVID-19 admissions during the two-month period, 13 had a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, including 5 who developed with bi-hemispheric cerebral infarction. Three (60%) were female, median age was 54 (range 41–67), and all five were being managed for severe COVID-19 related pneumonia complicated by acute kidney injury and liver failure before the diagnosis of cerebral infarction was established. Five presented with elevated ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and four had lymphopenia and elevated D-dimer levels. All patients underwent neuroimaging with CT for persistent depressed mentation, with or without a focal neurologic deficit, demonstrating multifocal ischemic strokes with bi-hemispheric involvement. Outcome was poor in all patients: we discharged two to a rehabilitation facility with moderate-to-severe disability, and three (60%) patients died.Conclusions
Stroke is implicated in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Multifocal ischemic strokes with bi-hemispheric involvement should be considered in COVID-19 patients with severe infection and poor neurologic status and may be associated with poor outcomes.Recommended Citation
Kurian, C., Mayer, S., Kaur, G., Sahni, R., Samaan, M., Viswanathan, D., Sami, T., Ali, S., Al-Shammaria, H., Bloomfield, J., Bravo, M., Nuoman, R., Gulko, E., Gandhi, C. D., & Al-Mufti, F. (2021). Bihemispheric Ischemic Strokes in Patients With COVID-19. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 429 (Suppl.), 119901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2021.119901
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