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Neurologic complications of COVID-19
Rachel Bridwell1, Brit Long1, Michael Gottlieb2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX, United States of America.
Insights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause serious neurologic complications, including stroke and encephalitis. Emergency medicine clinicians must recognize these neurological effects in patients with COVID-19.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- The global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) extends beyond cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.
- Neurologic complications are an emerging cause of morbidity and mortality in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the spectrum of neurologic complications associated with COVID-19.
- To highlight the importance of recognizing these complications for emergency medicine clinicians.
Main Methods:
- This report is a brief review of existing literature and clinical observations.
- Focus is placed on the clinical presentation and recognition of neurologic manifestations.
Main Results:
- COVID-19 is associated with a range of neurologic issues, including acute cerebrovascular events, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
- Patients with pre-existing neurologic conditions on immunosuppressants face increased risks and potential drug interactions with COVID-19 therapies.
Conclusions:
- Emergency medicine clinicians must be vigilant for neurologic complications in all COVID-19 patients.
- Awareness of these neurologic sequelae is critical for timely diagnosis and management.
Background:
Much of the focus regarding the global pandemic of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has been on the cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic complications. However, neurologic complications have arisen as an increasingly recognized area of morbidity and mortality.
Objective:
This brief report summarizes the neurologic complications associated with COVID-19 with an emphasis on the emergency medicine clinician.
Discussion:
COVID-19 has infected over 3.5 million people and killed over 240,000 people worldwide. While pulmonary complications are profound, the neurologic system is also significantly impacted, with complications including acute cerebrovascular events, encephalitis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, acute necrotizing hemorrhagic encephalopathy, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Additionally, patients on immunosuppressive medications for pre-existing neurologic issues are at an increased risk for complications with COVID-19 infection, and many of the currently proposed COVID-19 therapies can interact with these medications.
Conclusions:
When caring for COVID-19 patients, emergency medicine clinicians should be aware of the neurologic complications from COVID-19.
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