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Updated: Dec 19, 2025

A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Stroke as a complication and prognostic factor of COVID-19
1Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario de Burgos, Burgos, España.
Insights
A history of stroke triples the risk of death in COVID-19 patients. While stroke is not a primary complication of COVID-19, it significantly impacts patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Conflicting data exist regarding stroke incidence in COVID-19 patients.
- The risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in individuals with a prior stroke history is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review stroke as a COVID-19 complication.
- To analyze the prognosis of COVID-19 patients with a history of stroke.
- To review the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke in COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of case series on stroke complications in COVID-19.
- Analysis of prognosis in COVID-19 patients with prior stroke.
- Review of pathophysiological mechanisms linking COVID-19 and stroke.
Main Results:
- A history of stroke increases the risk of death from COVID-19 by threefold.
- Stroke is not identified as a predominant complication of COVID-19.
Conclusions:
- Prior stroke history is a significant risk factor for COVID-19 mortality.
- Further research into the relationship between stroke and COVID-19 is warranted.
Introduction:
Contradictory data have been reported on the incidence of stroke in patients with COVID-19 and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with history of stroke.
Methods:
This study systematically reviews case series reporting stroke as a complication of COVID-19, and analyses the prognosis of patients with COVID-19 and history of stroke. The pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke in patients with COVID-19 are also reviewed.
Conclusions:
History of stroke increases the risk of death due to COVID-19 by 3 times. Stroke currently seems not to be one of the main complications of COVID-19.
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